SSG John Lawrence Mersky Memorial Fund
Donation protected
SSG John Lawrence Mersky, 29, of Palehorse Troop, 4th Squadron, 2d Calvary Regiment tragically passed on Saturday, October 27.
I’ve spent the last four months trying to figure out how to put into words these feelings. I think I’ve avoided it because then focusing on it is accepting that this is real and my bother is gone. Having John as my brother was truly an honor. I never understood how as the older sister I could look up to my younger brother. He always had this way of turning any dark moment into the funniest moment, making me laugh when I was sad or distracting me with some terrible impersonation. I never could figure out where he got his sense of humor from or how he could help so many through their darkest moments. He was the first to stand up for you or go to extremes just to make you smile. Anything for a joke. Having a conversation with John was like nothing or no one else in the room mattered. It was like you created your own world of inside jokes. As much as John wanted to be known as the funny guy, he was really just a sweetheart (I know, he’d make a gross face at that) When Robb came home from overseas he was the first person he made sure came to hang out with us. When I got kicked out of the house he let me and my cat come live in his cold and dark basement no questions asked. He always wanted to help. After moving out of that basement and onto the second floor of that infamous Hyannis house I was immediately engulfed in designing clothes. Whether it was cutting up old band t-shirts or sewing scraps of fabric together he always believed in me. He sent me a link to a Craigslist ad which was looking for Fashion Designers for an upcoming Fashion Show. He kept asking me about it until I finally applied. I was accepted to participate and because of that show, Ashley Rose Couture exists. I never stoppped sewing since that show. I owe it all to John believing in me, pushing me and motivating me. I owe it ALL to him, I promise I would have given up a long tome ago.. I remember doing a Fashion Show in Cambridge and he asked me if he could bring a date. As the older sister I always gave John’s dates a hard time. I mean, obviously. But this one was feisty. Of course John fell head over heels for her and the beautiful Jenn became his wife. John was absolutely in love with her and after listening to him speak of her I don’t think that love could ever be matched. John, Robb and I found our way through the dark and I truly believe that’s because our baby brother led the way. There hasn’t been a single day I haven’t thought about him, thought of his laugh or laughed harder at something thinking of what he would say about it. One of the last times I saw John was on his wedding day on Cape Cod. He kept messaging me like I was going to bail on this important day. John was always making jokes about everything but this was the first time I saw him nervous and pacing back and forth freaking out if his sandal choice was good or not. Speaking his vows was the first time I heard his voice crack. His love for Jenn was unreal. After the ceremony I remember just wanting to be alone by the ocean while everyone went off inside to continue celebrating. I ended up putting a beach chair in the ocean about knee deep and letting the waves hit me. He found me and came to keep me company. Not once did he ask me what the hell was i doing but instead made honest and open conversation with me. I will always remember us walking out in our jeans waist deep in the ocean talking about our lives and what we hoped for with our futures. John you were my best friend, my brother and my light in this dark world. I would give anything in this entire world to hear you laugh again, see your smile or just get the most unexpected thing said to me as you peel out in your white Toyota. I miss you John, thanks for helping me always through the dark. - your sister, Ashley
Being in the marine corps sort of numbs you to the pain of losing someone you love. I’ve lost brothers both from the war overseas and the silent war when we return. Not in a lifetime did I expect to hear that my actually little baby brother was gone. That was something nothing could’ve trained me for. It’s not something anyone with younger siblings wants to hear. John and I had a special duo as most brothers do but this was different. I was so proud when he told me he was joining the service. He said his tattoo was too big for the marines so he went next door to the army. I said do anything but infantry. Choose something you can get a career with afterwards so he chose cav scouts. Almost infantry. Regardless I was still proud. At first it all came as a shock to me. He went from working in the mall and living in my attic, which could only be accessed through the bathroom, like Harry Potter to joining the military. He made the best of every situation and those around him he lifted their spirits. Never let a gloomy day get him down and if he saw you down he would lift you up with some sort of sarcastic remark or a situational pun. He may have been my younger brother but in my mind he was always the stronger one. He always knew what to say or do when I was in need. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t ask for his help. Most people who know him may know him for his wits and his brain but the ones he loves know him for his heart of gold. - Robb
With this fundraiser we would like to give back to the ‘Military Friends Foundation’ which helped our family during this dark time. They helped with funeral costs, flights and so much more. They helped pick up the pieces for us while honoring John and his family during this tragedy. Also, with this campaign we’d love to raise money to create a memorial for John. My next fashion show on April 27th in Salem, Massachusetts ‘Red at Night’ is dedicated to John. 100% of the ticket proceeds will also go to this fundraiser.
Thank you to everyone that was a friend to John. Hearing your stories as truly helped us during these dark times. We will never forget you baby brother.
I’ve spent the last four months trying to figure out how to put into words these feelings. I think I’ve avoided it because then focusing on it is accepting that this is real and my bother is gone. Having John as my brother was truly an honor. I never understood how as the older sister I could look up to my younger brother. He always had this way of turning any dark moment into the funniest moment, making me laugh when I was sad or distracting me with some terrible impersonation. I never could figure out where he got his sense of humor from or how he could help so many through their darkest moments. He was the first to stand up for you or go to extremes just to make you smile. Anything for a joke. Having a conversation with John was like nothing or no one else in the room mattered. It was like you created your own world of inside jokes. As much as John wanted to be known as the funny guy, he was really just a sweetheart (I know, he’d make a gross face at that) When Robb came home from overseas he was the first person he made sure came to hang out with us. When I got kicked out of the house he let me and my cat come live in his cold and dark basement no questions asked. He always wanted to help. After moving out of that basement and onto the second floor of that infamous Hyannis house I was immediately engulfed in designing clothes. Whether it was cutting up old band t-shirts or sewing scraps of fabric together he always believed in me. He sent me a link to a Craigslist ad which was looking for Fashion Designers for an upcoming Fashion Show. He kept asking me about it until I finally applied. I was accepted to participate and because of that show, Ashley Rose Couture exists. I never stoppped sewing since that show. I owe it all to John believing in me, pushing me and motivating me. I owe it ALL to him, I promise I would have given up a long tome ago.. I remember doing a Fashion Show in Cambridge and he asked me if he could bring a date. As the older sister I always gave John’s dates a hard time. I mean, obviously. But this one was feisty. Of course John fell head over heels for her and the beautiful Jenn became his wife. John was absolutely in love with her and after listening to him speak of her I don’t think that love could ever be matched. John, Robb and I found our way through the dark and I truly believe that’s because our baby brother led the way. There hasn’t been a single day I haven’t thought about him, thought of his laugh or laughed harder at something thinking of what he would say about it. One of the last times I saw John was on his wedding day on Cape Cod. He kept messaging me like I was going to bail on this important day. John was always making jokes about everything but this was the first time I saw him nervous and pacing back and forth freaking out if his sandal choice was good or not. Speaking his vows was the first time I heard his voice crack. His love for Jenn was unreal. After the ceremony I remember just wanting to be alone by the ocean while everyone went off inside to continue celebrating. I ended up putting a beach chair in the ocean about knee deep and letting the waves hit me. He found me and came to keep me company. Not once did he ask me what the hell was i doing but instead made honest and open conversation with me. I will always remember us walking out in our jeans waist deep in the ocean talking about our lives and what we hoped for with our futures. John you were my best friend, my brother and my light in this dark world. I would give anything in this entire world to hear you laugh again, see your smile or just get the most unexpected thing said to me as you peel out in your white Toyota. I miss you John, thanks for helping me always through the dark. - your sister, Ashley
Being in the marine corps sort of numbs you to the pain of losing someone you love. I’ve lost brothers both from the war overseas and the silent war when we return. Not in a lifetime did I expect to hear that my actually little baby brother was gone. That was something nothing could’ve trained me for. It’s not something anyone with younger siblings wants to hear. John and I had a special duo as most brothers do but this was different. I was so proud when he told me he was joining the service. He said his tattoo was too big for the marines so he went next door to the army. I said do anything but infantry. Choose something you can get a career with afterwards so he chose cav scouts. Almost infantry. Regardless I was still proud. At first it all came as a shock to me. He went from working in the mall and living in my attic, which could only be accessed through the bathroom, like Harry Potter to joining the military. He made the best of every situation and those around him he lifted their spirits. Never let a gloomy day get him down and if he saw you down he would lift you up with some sort of sarcastic remark or a situational pun. He may have been my younger brother but in my mind he was always the stronger one. He always knew what to say or do when I was in need. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t ask for his help. Most people who know him may know him for his wits and his brain but the ones he loves know him for his heart of gold. - Robb
With this fundraiser we would like to give back to the ‘Military Friends Foundation’ which helped our family during this dark time. They helped with funeral costs, flights and so much more. They helped pick up the pieces for us while honoring John and his family during this tragedy. Also, with this campaign we’d love to raise money to create a memorial for John. My next fashion show on April 27th in Salem, Massachusetts ‘Red at Night’ is dedicated to John. 100% of the ticket proceeds will also go to this fundraiser.
Thank you to everyone that was a friend to John. Hearing your stories as truly helped us during these dark times. We will never forget you baby brother.
Organizer
Ashley Rose Mersky
Organizer
Watertown, MA
