A Final Salute to John E. Oliver
November 13, 2006
The First Duty is to Remember. I proudly served with John in the Marines including Beirut 1983.
Before I say a few words about John, I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Luke Drewry, Jackson Fox, and Carter Stephenson. John would have insisted that we think of them first.
I am not surprised that John developed a passion for scouting. He would probably be the first to tell you that the only difference between the Boy Scouts and the Marines is that the Boy Scouts have adult leadership. And John was a quite leader.
The philosopher Khalil Gibran wrote, “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls. The most massive characters are seared with scars.” John was a man of character, conviction, and courage. He was a good man, great friend, and true patriot.
On October 23, 1983 our Marine barracks was attacked by a suicidal truck bomber. 241 U.S. servicemen were killed: 220 Marines, 18 sailors, and 3 soldiers. It was the largest single-day loss of Marine life since the Battle of Iwo Jima. According to the FBI the bombing was the largest non-nuclear blast ever detonated on the face of the earth.
The blast created a crater measuring 39 feet long by 29 feet wide and nearly 9 feet deep. John survived the explosion but was buried in the basement. Putting the welfare of others first he called out for his Gunny, the battalion career planner, who had been knocked unconscious. Hearing John’s voice the Gunny regained consciousness. John found him and removed debris blanketing his back and legs.
The career planner suffered a severe head injury, shoulder injury, a hole in the bottom of his right foot, and multiple lacerations and contusions. He was dazed and confused. Amidst the choking pulverized concrete, darkness, and surrounded by death, John saw the light – daylight. Giant concrete slabs barred the way out of the crater for the wounded Gunny. John led him to a safe place and reconnoitered for an alternate passage.
John returned and guided the career planner to a jeep to be medevacked. John never took credit for saving his life. John was a humble hero, which is the best kind.
John was a groomsman at my wedding in 1997. Before the ceremony he offered me his handkerchief. I declined. During the ceremony my bride began to cry (I have that effect on women.) to the point of her contacts nearly popping out. It was at this moment that I realized the handkerchief was intended for her - a gentle gesture from such a kind soul.
I am sure had John known his fate he would have gone down to Wal Mart and bought all of you here today a hanky. But John would not want us to shed too many tears.
Country music’s Brad Paisley performs a beautiful duet with Dolly Parton entitled, “When I get where I am going.” The chorus goes:
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah when I get where I'm going
Don't cry for me down here
I will remember John for his warm smile and hugs. While Marines are known for air hugs, John gave bear hugs. For a man of small stature he had incredible upper body strength. John hugged like there was no tomorrow.
Beirut shaped John’s life but it did not define it. The Marine Corps motto SemperFidelis, latin for Always Faithful, defined it. According to the Marine Corps Hymn the streets of heaven are guarded by United States Marines. Today, with John on the scene, those streets are well guarded.
John struggled for years with, in his own words, “The constant battle to Remember and Honor Our Fallen Brothers, while staving off the negative thoughts and memories. The un-happy things, that loom in the dark shadows and recesses of my being.” Despite causing considerable personal pain John reached out to comfort the next of kin of those killed in Beirut. Two of those families are present today.
The good news is that John moved beyond the bombing. He was in a good place … and now he is in an even better place.
John touched so many lives as is evident by the sea of people present today, but John left lasting impressions on people in every clime and place. Over 3 years ago former Marine turned writer for DAV Magazine, Rob Lewis, interviewed John over the phone. Upon learning of John’s death Rob had this to say:
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of such a fine Marine and a great guy. I remember our interview very well. He was obviously still very much burdened by the memories of the bombing, but his care and concern for his fellow Marine veterans of Beirut served as an inspiration, a guidepost for moving beyond the tragedy. As I remember, John was in the basement of the barracks when the terrorist struck. His survival was a miracle, and it seems as if he did his best to live the remaining years with strength, dignity and honor.
The First Duty is to Remember. I will not remember John … by the way he died. I will remember John … for the way he lived!
By Don “Gunny” Inns