Angels beckon Sgt. Jon Cadavero
Tuxedo native remembered as thoughtful friend and proud American, By Tony Houston
Goshen - A memorial service was held last Friday for U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathan “Jon” Cadavero, 24, of Tuxedo. Hundreds were inside and scores outside the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen to honor Cadavero ten days after he and two other soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division were killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad.
Cadavero was a medic in the 2nd Brigade, serving with a unit that had the responsibility for finding and defusing improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In fact, IED is the military’s term for a roadside bomb like the one that took his life.
Those who knew him, and knew the way he honored and thanked those who served, were not surprised that he enlisted in the Army straight from college.
“Jon told me at least ten years ago that he wanted to go into the military,” said Tuxedo Town Police Sgt. Patrick Welch. “He probably would have made it a career.”
The service began with violinist Hanna Dyman and a call to worship. Hymns, prayer and scripture readings followed.
Next was soloist Esther Whieldon, singing “Nearer My God to Thee.” The first verse was sung beautifully, but Whieldon had difficulty with the chorus. As she struggled to reach the high notes, however, several mourners filled in for her albeit one octave lower, of course.
After a beautifully sung second verse, Whieldon nervously approached the chorus again; this time she was ready. At the first hint of difficulty, with a smile and a wave of her hand, she encouraged, now, dozens to help her finish the piece.
From what was learned about Cadavero in the many remembrances that followed, it’s a sure thing that he would have appreciated the effort and grace of Whieldon and the congregation’s willingness to come to her aid.
After graduating from Waldwick Seventh-day Adventist School in New Jersey, Cadavero frequently returned to help with the students or do some work for the teachers or for Principal Alipia Gonzalez, who spoke at the service.
Others who spoke were a fellow soldier, a college roommate and basketball teammate, a sister, an uncle and the wife of a veteran. That veteran, along with many others, received a card from Cadavero every Veterans Day, thanking him for his service.
The soldier’s 19-year-old widow, Pfc. Michelle Heiter Cadavero, also spoke. They were married only three months and deployed together to Iraq.
“I’m honored to have served next to him as a soldier, as his wife and as his best friend,” she said.
Sgt. Cadavero was buried at the Orange County Veterans Cemetery in Goshen. Hundreds of veterans from the tri-state area, who were waiting at the entrance, came to attention as the funeral procession entered the cemetery.
At Monday’s Tuxedo Town Board meeting Councilman Dan Castricone said: “I was honored to represent our town at the funeral of Sgt. Cadavero.”
After a moment of silence at the start of the meeting, Supervisor Peter Dolan said that an outdoor basketball court in a town park would be named after Sgt. Cadavero.