Comments on: Gold Star Mom http://sgthook.com/2005/12/29/gold-star-mom/ This We'll Defend Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:44:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Tom Gugliuzza http://sgthook.com/2005/12/29/gold-star-mom/#comment-6486 Tom Gugliuzza Tue, 28 Feb 2006 15:56:52 +0000 http://sgthook.com/2005/12/29/gold-star-mom/#comment-6486 Dear Noami and Tony my heart goes out to you. I thank you for telling the truth about JT and his life. Dear Noami and Tony my heart goes out to you. I thank you for telling the truth about JT and his life.

]]> By: Mrs. Tony Lucente http://sgthook.com/2005/12/29/gold-star-mom/#comment-5420 Mrs. Tony Lucente Tue, 17 Jan 2006 21:20:11 +0000 http://sgthook.com/2005/12/29/gold-star-mom/#comment-5420 To Everyone who has responded to this post regarding our fallen hero, LCpl. John Anthony Lucente, "JT". It has been only 2 months since our son was killed on that sad November day, yet It seems like yesterday that those 2 marines showed up at our doorstep to give us the news that our only son was dead. It was a day that we will never forget. Although others would rather you not know this; We, His Dad and Step Mom, believe that JT should be honored by others remembering him with stories of his life that are honest and spoken out of love, not hate. JT was born and raised in Fresno, Ca. and resided here until he was 15 yars old. This is where his roots are, and he would be so sad by this obvious omittance of facts. JT loved it here in Fresno. He went to Elementary and middle school here, and was involved in many school activities, soccer being one of them. His Grandfathers family on his Fathers side has a 40 years history of living in the Fresno County area. Actually, Both sides of his family have roots in Fresno, dating back over 6o years. JT, unfortunetly, has relocated several times during his life, as a result of a bitter divorce, and a Mothers search for a normal life. Although his parents had joint physical and legal custody, JT was forced to live the life of a boy, desperatly trying to have a close relationship with his Dad, while being allowed to visit him only twice a month. That was unfair to JT, and he hated that arrangement with such intensity. (We know that his Mom now agrees, as she was only allowed the same visitation with the son she lost custody of as a small child). Having gone through the trauma over the next few years of witnessing his Mom's 4 seperate attemps at marriages, JT found comfort in spending time with his half-brother Cris (Parfitt), and his half sister Cassandra (Clarkson). Although seperated by homes, they seemed to win the fight against the enemy, called divorce. When JT was 15 years old, he was relocated, for the last time, to Grass Valley. This is where his Mom made her last attempt at marriage and at providing her other children with the sense of security that she realized they were in need of. That final relocation was in ways very difficult for JT, but as with every other move, he eventually adjusted. Athough he missed being near his family here in Fresno, He was still able to be with us on our weekends and holidays. No amount of distance could have kept him from his family. We continued to excercise our right to visitation with JT until the day he turned 18. Then of course, he was not bound by a piece of paper, and our relationship with him flourished. Him turning 18, was the happiest day of our lives. On that day, JT was not a tool anymore, but an independant young man, who could, and did, come and be with his family, whenever he wanted. The many months that followed were filled with some of the most memorable moments that our family has ever had. It was finally over for JT. He could see his brother and sister whenever he wanted, and he could begin to re-establish the relationship with his Father, that so many others wanted to destroy. And then, on that sad November day, It was all taken away. Our son, her son, was dead. How unfair it all seems. No matter how we all hide behind our strong words of comfort, the truth remains...Our poor son, who lived a life of good, bad, happy and sad, was now taken away from us forever. Jt will be remembered in our hearts and souls as being the strongest, most honorable, loving young man that we have ever known. His Father and I love him so much, as do his several other family members here in fresno, and beyond. It is for this reason, and this reason alone, that we wanted to share our story of JT's life with you. He would have been humbled to know that you took the time to read our story. We thank God everyday, that we never gave up on fighting for JT's right to have a safe, secure, loving home, with a strong foundation and a love of God and his country. Semper Fi!! "We Love you JT!" Mr. & Mrs. Tony Lucente Fresno, Ca. To Everyone who has responded to this post regarding our fallen hero, LCpl. John Anthony Lucente, “JT”. It has been only 2 months since our son was killed on that sad November day, yet It seems like yesterday that those 2 marines showed up at our doorstep to give us the news that our only son was dead.
It was a day that we will never forget.
Although others would rather you not know this; We, His Dad and Step Mom, believe that JT should be honored by others remembering him with stories of his life that are honest and spoken out of love, not hate.
JT was born and raised in Fresno, Ca. and resided here until he was 15 yars old. This is where his roots are, and he would be so sad by this obvious omittance of facts. JT loved it here in Fresno. He went to Elementary and middle school here, and was involved in many school activities, soccer being one of them. His Grandfathers family on his Fathers side has a 40 years history of living in the Fresno County area. Actually, Both sides of his family have roots in Fresno, dating back over 6o years.
JT, unfortunetly, has relocated several times during his life, as a result of a bitter divorce, and a Mothers search for a normal life. Although his parents had joint physical and legal custody, JT was forced to live the life of a boy, desperatly trying to have a close relationship with his Dad, while being allowed to visit him only twice a month. That was unfair to JT, and he hated that arrangement with such intensity. (We know that his Mom now agrees, as she was only allowed the same visitation with the son she lost custody of as a small child).
Having gone through the trauma over the next few years of witnessing his Mom’s 4 seperate attemps at marriages, JT found comfort in spending time with his half-brother Cris (Parfitt), and his half sister Cassandra (Clarkson). Although seperated by homes, they seemed to win the fight against the enemy, called divorce.
When JT was 15 years old, he was relocated, for the last time, to Grass Valley. This is where his Mom made her last attempt at marriage and at providing her other children with the sense of security that she realized they were in need of. That final relocation was in ways
very difficult for JT, but as with every other move, he eventually adjusted. Athough he missed being near his family here in Fresno, He was still able to be with us on our weekends and holidays. No amount of distance could have kept him from his family. We continued to excercise our right to visitation with JT until the day he turned 18. Then of course, he was not bound by a piece of paper, and our relationship with him flourished.
Him turning 18, was the happiest day of our lives. On that day, JT was not a tool anymore, but an independant young man, who could, and did, come and be with his family, whenever he wanted. The many months that followed were filled with some of the most memorable moments that our family has ever had. It was finally over for JT. He could see his brother and sister whenever he wanted, and he could begin to re-establish the relationship with his Father, that so many others wanted to destroy.
And then, on that sad November day, It was all taken away. Our son, her son, was dead. How unfair it all seems. No matter how we all hide behind our strong words of comfort, the truth remains…Our poor son, who lived a life of good, bad, happy and sad, was now taken away from us forever.
Jt will be remembered in our hearts and souls as being the strongest, most honorable, loving young man that we have ever known. His Father and I love him so much, as do his several other family members here in fresno, and beyond. It is for this reason, and this reason alone, that we wanted to share our story of JT’s life with you.
He would have been humbled to know that you took the time to read our story. We thank God everyday, that we never gave up on fighting for JT’s right to have a safe, secure, loving home, with a strong foundation and a love of God and his country.

Semper Fi!!

“We Love you JT!”

Mr. & Mrs. Tony Lucente
Fresno, Ca.

]]> By: Speed of Thought... http://sgthook.com/2005/12/29/gold-star-mom/#comment-4975 Speed of Thought... Fri, 30 Dec 2005 07:59:42 +0000 http://sgthook.com/2005/12/29/gold-star-mom/#comment-4975 <strong>Gold Star Mom...</strong> I am a Marine mom of a fallen hero - LCpl. John Lucente, who died on Nov.16, 2005 in Operation Steel Curtain. This has been extremely difficult for us and I know many will follow in this pain. How can I be a support to others in the same way the mari... Gold Star Mom…

I am a Marine mom of a fallen hero - LCpl. John Lucente, who died on Nov.16, 2005 in Operation Steel Curtain. This has been extremely difficult for us and I know many will follow in this pain. How can I be a support to others in the same way the mari…

]]> By: Gypsy http://sgthook.com/2005/12/29/gold-star-mom/#comment-4972 Gypsy Fri, 30 Dec 2005 03:49:06 +0000 http://sgthook.com/2005/12/29/gold-star-mom/#comment-4972 Never forget. Wind to thy wings LCpl Lucente...my prayers to family and friends. Never forget. Wind to thy wings LCpl Lucente…my prayers to family and friends.

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