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Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia
Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia
US Army
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  Jerome Lemon
Name: Army Staff Sgt. Jerome Lemon

Age: 42

From: North Charleston, S.C.

Assigned to the 1052nd Transportation Company, South Carolina Army National Guard, Kingstree, S.C.

Incident: Army Staff Sgt. Jerome Lemon was killed Oct. 27 when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle in Balad, Iraq.

Died: October 27, 2004


S.C. state trooper killed in Iraq ambush

Associated Press

FLORENCE, S.C. Staff Sgt. Jerome Lemon, a South Carolina state trooper, has died in the war in Iraq, family and friends said Thursday.

Lemon, 42, was a convoy commander with the Army National Guards Kingstree-based 1052nd Transportation Company. He was killed when his convoy was ambushed Wednesday morning.

This is just another terrible loss, another reminder of what a horrible war were fighting over there, another hero whos fallen for our country, longtime friend Rep. Douglas Jennings, D-Bennettsville, said.

The two met in the early 1980s when Jennings worked as a prosecutor in the 4th Circuit Solicitors Office and Lemon was a Marlboro County sheriffs deputy.

When Lemon applied to the South Carolina Highway Patrol in 1990, Jennings was one of the people he sought out for a letter of recommendation.

Jerome was a wonderful person, and...

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Prayers & Condolences For:
Jerome Lemon
BY Anonymous on Nov 02, 2009
  We love you daddy and miss you very much, nookie
 


Prayers & Condolences For:
Jerome Lemon
BY Anonymous on Sep 18, 2009
  Jerome saved my life and he never knew it.

Back in the summer of 1999 I was going through a stage in my life, turning 30 and being single, where I wanted to have someone special. On a trip to Charleston, SC I met a great girl who shared the same interests and traits. It happen quite accidentally as we attended a concert and she and a friend were dancing in front of me when she wheeled around and knocked my five dollar beer from my hands. I just smiled my smile, apologized for her carelessness and drained the Bud from my shoes. She liked my wit and charm so we spent the next few songs talking to the annoyance of her friend. We walked and got to know one another forcing the blaring music to take second stage to our conversation. It just clicked between Leslie and me. By the end of the long weekend we feel madly in love.

We tried to make the distance thing work but the pressure was too great on her and her family. Our age difference was a few years and her mother disapproved of my career in law enforcement and wanted Leslie to do better finding a boyfriend. They thought that I would be a distraction for her final years in college. She and I thought differently. We wrote letters, talked daily for hours sharing those simple realistic dreams that young lovers weave together.

In November I met her on my birthday for a romantic weekend in Charleston. Late in the evening on a well worn patch of ground at the Battery under a pale November moon I presented a ring and asked for her hand in marriage. I knew it was going to be a good thing when I saw her bite her lower lip to control her expression. Life was good for a day.

The weekend was coming to an end and while we were saying good by as I got ready to head back to western North Carolina; she looked at me with an expression that I never really can remove from my mind. Her lips quivered and her eyes were flooded with tears. She couldnt go through with it and go against her family. She slowly took the ring off her finger and placed it on the dresser.

I was hurt, confused but managed to be a gentleman. I hugged her and kissed the top of her head and told her it would be all right and to keep the ring. I said goodbye and left. I was in shock and dont really remember much about leaving the city except how nice it would be for me to drive off the Cooper River bridge if I was going up highway 17 instead of I-26.

How I drove the twenty miles is beyond me. I was crying and just an emotional wreck. I had for thirty years kept everyone away from my heart. My armor had been penetrated and it had never happened before. I clearly should not have been driving but I couldnt make myself pull over. I wanted to get home where I know it was safe. I was three hundred miles from the shelter of loved ones and friends. I never had been in this position and I didnt know what would help but I did know that I should talk to someone.

I looked west as I sped on I-26 and saw Jerome, a SC State Trooper. He was outside his cruiser talking to a motorist parked in front of him. He had stopped to write a citation and something told me to pull over so I eased in behind his patrol car and waited for him to get free. Once he finished with his task he walked back to help what he thought was some lost soul and found me in such a sad shape.

He let me get out of my SUV and we talked alongside the passing cars heading west back to their realities from their time in Charleston. I was trying to calm down and tell him my story. His pleasant demeanor and sympathetic eyes helped me by just knowing that some stranger really could care about me.

He quietly listened. I wrapped up my story and he offered to talk to Leslie, to go and find her and tell her god knows what but he cared about a hurting stranger enough place himself in that awkward situation. He offered to talk to her parents to give me a chance, all that because he cared. One of the greatest weights I had ever felt was lifted off my body once he calmed me down.

Jerome gave me one of his SC Highway Patrol business cards and he wrote his cell phone and home phone numbers on the back. He instructed me to call if I ever needed to talk and to remember that I was not alone. As I got back in my truck Jerome said it would all be different in a few weeks and for me to just wait my time and to do something good for somebody.

I made it home. I took time and I started a practice of helping people as he had quietly done for me. His business card rested in my wallet; only coming out when I was depressed or felt like I wasnt doing the things in life like I should. At first I would pull that card out several times a day but as the hurt eased I turned to the card less. It was a good feeling knowing that the card was there if I needed it.

I wrote a letter to his supervisor and told my story and how I think Jerome saved my life. I never heard anything from it and I hope Jerome knew.

Things did get better as he predicted and a year passed. I met someone special exactly one year to the day that I met Jerome. She was good for me and Jeromes card moved further back in my wallet and was seldom touched.

Four years later in 2004 we were married and took our honeymoon in Charleston. We spent a week of gray February days in Charleston. On one of those days I slipped a small envelope that contained a letter and a well worn business card back to its rightful owner into a street side mailbox. The note, simple in content but powerful in meaning, said that I didnt need the card anymore that I had found someone who would be there for me. I wished him well and thanked Jerome profusely. I walked away from that mailbox knowing that I was a strong man who had closed a chapter of his life in the most positive manner. Vanessa saw me but never asked, she just reached out her hand for mine, smiled that relaxed smile of hers and we walked away from one of my proudest moments. She was unaware and oblivious but I had grown up.

Eight months later, October in that same year was painful. I caught Vanessa, my only real love in my long life, cheating on our marriage with a family friend who was in the Army. It had been going on awhile, hidden by veils of lies and cover ups. She was embarrassed but never admitted the depth to the betrayal. We struggled to work things out for three weeks but she moved out on October 27. Once again my world had ended and I needed a Jerome to help me through my pain.

Jerome would not be there, his world ended that day too.

Staff Sgt. Jerome Lemon, a South Carolina state trooper, died in the war in Iraq He was killed when his convoy was ambushed Wednesday morning. I found out because I read the Charleston Post and Courier Newspaper online daily. I love Charleston and like to keep abreast of what is going on in my foster city.

I have never cried or felt so at a loss as I did when I found out he was gone. I knew that I would survive; after all Jerome said I would. But how could God take away such a decent and caring soldier while he let live the one who stole my wife? I was and always will be at a loss to understand that.

I attended Jeromes receiving. I had clandestinely driven to North Charleston to be there. I had to be there. I could not face his family as my emotions were too strong. It took all of the strength I had not to go to his wife and tell her how much he meant to me. I am sure the caliber of man that Jerome was would have told his wife of the guy he had helped one day. She might have remembered me and I was scared because I didnt want to hurt his wife by dredging up a memory of how great he was. I was there for myself to say good bye, one stranger in the back of the room shedding real tears of love for a man he only met for eight minutes.

I hate that damn war and all that it has cost us. Ill remember Jerome till I cant draw another breath as he taught me compassion for mankind is the greatest task that we should labor on. Eight minutes with a man on the side of an interstate changed my life and how I lived since.

I love and miss you Jerome.


 

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Prayers & Condolences For:
Jerome Lemon
BY John on Apr 09, 2009
  May the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you and your family forever.
 


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Wall Of Prayers
Wall Of Prayers



Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia

It's been 20 years since your passing... However, I never forgotten the day you told me I am married, I am going to have a baby, and day your son was born... You touched some many lives in different ways in your brief time on this earth in ways others can't imagine... Some people can be given a life time on this earth and accomplish nothing, and there are some people who are given a short time and accomplish so much... You Mr. Flores-Mejia aka Ricky was that person and soldier who accomplish so much in your shoft tme... As I see the days pass by, and the war seems to be a distant memory, your memory is still alive in my life, and still on this and like other days with my grandchildren I sit back like we did many times and listen to those West Coast oldies... "Never Forgotten"


Frank E. Adamski III

To the family of Frank Adamski, including his wife and daughter, my sincere condolences. I plan to make sure he is never forgotten.


Benjamin Walker

🕯️


Trevor B. Adkins

If I could go back in time I would begg you not to go I miss you so much the girls do to they talk about you all the time lots of love your sister


Adam D. Jones

Happy Birthday, Adam. You are missed so much every minute of everyday! XOXO ~143~ You will forever be in my heart and on my mind. Love always, Tammy


Laurie Cobb

She was my 3rd and 5th grade teacher. Today I'm 32 and still think about her. She was the best teacher ever. From her hair children stories to her bubbly happiness and kindness she spread. I'll never forget her. She was the teacher who had lunch with the kids in her classroom so everyone had someone to be with. She made my school experience amazing. I will never forget her.. I love you Mrs. Cobb. Sincerely, Forever in my thoughts, Alyssa (Viau) Capone


Larry E Polley Jr

SPC Polley died almost two decades ago so I don't know if this message will be seen. In honor of Memorial Day, my agency hands out cards with names of those who have fallen. This year, 2023, I received the card for SPC Polley and was inspired to look up more on him. I am thankful for his service and sacrifice. My condolences to his family. He is not forgotten.


Paul C. Holter III

Miss you brother


Alex D Gonzalez

Love you and miss you always. Since you been gone it has been hard for everyone. I know you loved what you did, and I want to thank you for our freedom. If I can have you back home and safe living your life man everything would be different. No matter how much money they would offer me I would rather have you alive and home. Money comes and go so it's not worth losing you.


Christopher D Young

hello my name is Jesus Vega I would like to give my condolences to Christopher's family and friends, I served with him in Iraq and slept in the same quarters. I have many fond memories of him. I have never forgotten his sacrifice. I would like to share that the greatest memory I had of Chris is that he would speak highly of his mom and how much she meant to him. Chris was a strong minded person and looked out for other. He was kind and friendly the he made friends with everyone. Chris was truly a great man! I sincerely apologize for not sharing sooner. but would like to express that Chris's memory will never be forgotten! though he is not with us he will always be in spirit! If this message gets to Christopher's mother I she could know she raised a great man and for that I thank you.


Jose E Ulloa

Ricky you are still in your family's hearts.


John Michael Roy Curwin

I'm doing a work assignment for school and think he should be included.


Derek L. Shanfield

Heartfelt Sympathy on the loss of your son - Semper Fi.


Marisol Heredia

Dear Marisol, You are Loved Forever...Jeff


John Charles Jenkins

In hope for your soul to be safe and in peace forever, God hold you in your wings! Amen


Todd Beamer

Your courage exceeds the unimaginable.


Steven Paul Chucknick

peace be with you


Geoffrey Perez

thank you for being in our lives, you i got to see you right before you left and i feel so blessed for tour ultimate sacrifice brother. Rest in paradise


Linda Jones

Praying for peace and serenity. God bless you as you travel this difficult path.


Kristopher J. Gould

Miss you everyday buddy. Look forward to seeing you again, one day.


Kristopher J. Gould

Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice, Kris. You are missed.


Deora Bodley

rest in peace


James David Parker

I knew James David Parker as "Dave" when he lived in Solon Ohio. We met when I moved into town from out of state. He and his group of friends were a year or two older than me. Dave was a bright beacon of hope and joy to me. I was an unsure young man in a strange place. Dave introduced me to many people and ensured his friends always saved me a seat in the lunchroom. I have fond memories of him and his friends during that time. I doubt so many people would have been as wonderful toward me without Dave's incredible kindness. I've never forgotten his kindness. I hope to be able to pay it forward someday.

Wall Of Prayers


 For Jose Ricardo Flores-Mejia   For Frank E. Adamski III   For Benjamin Walker   For Trevor B. Adkins   For Adam D. Jones   For Laurie Cobb   For Larry E Polley Jr   For Paul C. Holter III   For Alex D Gonzalez   For Christopher D Young   For Jose E Ulloa   For John Michael Roy Curwin   For Derek L. Shanfield   For Marisol Heredia   For John Charles Jenkins   For Todd Beamer   For Steven Paul Chucknick   For Geoffrey Perez   For Linda Jones   For Kristopher J. Gould  
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