One day after learning that our son was in Iraq, we received the tragic news that Marine Lance Cpl. John "JT" Lucente, 19, was killed with four other Marines as they performed a sweep for enemy combatants in Iraq's al-Abar province near the Syrian border. Our friends and family share our admiration for John, who so proudly became a Marine and died in service, protecting our freedoms and fighting that others may know the same God-given rights that we as Americans embrace.

John enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was a junior at Bear River High School. It was a decision he made on his own, out of a deep desire to serve God and his country. He proudly wore his Marine Corps uniform and was so honored to have accomplished the rigorous training to become a United States Marine. John was an honorable man, who took his commitment to the Marines with dignity and respect. John was a quiet, hardworking young man, who enjoyed spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed spending time with his brother Cris, 15. After graduating from basic training, it was evident they were now more than brothers, they were best friends. John's younger sister, Cassie, 9, was his princess to the end and shared a special bond together from the moment he first laid eyes on his sister. Both children consider John as their hero and treasure the memories they share.

John's new baby brother Jake, whom John named, is only seven weeks old. John did have the opportunity to see photos of Jake via the internet, and was looking forward to holding his new brother for the first time next spring, when he was scheduled to be home again. Both Cris and Cassie will now share John's legacy with Jake, ensuring that those memories live on.

John was encouraged by his step-father Shawn to always look to the future and be the best he could be. Shawn affectionately will always remember the bond they shared during their time together. John enjoyed the outdoors and being in God's creation. He especially enjoyed trips to Jamestown with Shawn to spend the afternoon playing paintball together.

As John's mother, I will never put away the memories of my first born. I will lift up every day to ensure that he is never forgotten. I encourage you to have faith in knowing that God is in control, never giving us more than we can handle.

A vital part of John's life was his faith. In the last email we received from him, he asked for prayer for his safety and that of all the troops. He knew the danger they were entering into as they participated in Operation Steel Curtain and turned to his faith for the courage he needed. Through the sacrifice of our Lord, we are comforted to know that, as 2 Corinthians 5:8 tells us, he is "present with the Lord."

Our family and friends have united in prayer, asking that Christ's love and grace surround us, bringing comfort in this time of unbelievable sorrow. We also pray for our troops here and around the world, fighting for the freedoms that we all embrace. We honor John's beautiful life, his sacrifice, and his proud service as a United States Marine.

These words are written from the bottom of my heart, in fond and loving memory of my son, JT.

---Kristine Mason