Jason Dale Lewis remembered

BROOKFIELD -- Jason Dale Lewis was just 4 years old when the Rev. Mark Cernero first knew him.

In those days, Lewis would come with his family to Cernero's church, the Assembly of God, in South Attleboro, Mass.

"He was a happy, energetic young boy," Cernero said. "He was a delightful fellow."

On Monday, Cernero joined family friends in mourning Lewis' death.

Lewis, 30, a Petty Officer First Class in the elite U.S. Navy SEAL unit, was killed Friday when a homemade explosive device blew up beneath his Humvee in Baghdad.

"He grew up to be an outstanding young man and a real patriot," Cernero said. "I am very saddened by his departure. How do you replace people like that?"

Cernero anticipates taking part in Lewis' funeral service Saturday at First Assembly of God Church in Brookfield, where he is associate pastor.

After the service, scheduled for 11 a.m., Lewis will be buried in Center Cemetery, New Milford, with full military honors.

On Monday, Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who ordered all state and U.S. flags to be lowered to half staff, described Lewis as "a great American."

"He is a hero, not just to us in Brookfield, but to our entire state and our entire country," Rell said in a statement. "His sacrifice on behalf of all of us will never be forgotten."

Rell urged all residents to recognize "the courage, bravery and dedication" Lewis displayed throughout his Navy career, and added: "Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to Officer Lewis' family and friends."

A spokesman for Rell said Monday it was not yet known whether the governor, who lives in Brookfield, will attend the funeral.

According to the Department of Defense, Lewis, who lived in Brookfield for most his life, died during combat operations.

Two other sailors, Steven P. Daugherty, 28, of Barstow, Calif., and Robert R. McRill, 42, of Lake Place, Fla., died with him.

"These sailors embodied the Navy core values of honor, courage, and commitment time and again in training and on the battlefield," said Capt. Chaz Heron, the men's commander. "They had a combined 34 years of dedicated service to our country. The Naval Special Warfare family will miss them and will ensure they are never forgotten."

Lewis lived in Virginia Beach, Va., was married to former Brookfield resident Donna (Tyransky) Lewis, and had three young children, Jack, Max, and Grace.

"He was a wonderful man and he loved his children very much," Donna Lewis said in a brief telephone interview Sunday.

The couple were married in Brookfield in 2002. Donna Lewis is a graduate of Brookfield High School and the University of Connecticut at Storrs and has a master's degree in speech language pathology.

First Selectman Jerry Murphy called Donna Lewis on Monday to convey condolences from the town, and to offer the family any help they might need.

"Your heart just goes out to the wife and three children," Murphy said. "I know from my time in the Navy that the Navy family is a tight family, but the SEAL family is even more so."

Jason Lewis, who was born in Danbury, attended Brookfield High School but graduated from Murdock High School in Winchendon, Mass., and went to the University of Maryland.

Lewis enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1996 and after completing advanced SEAL training courses was assigned to a West Coast-based SEAL team in October 1997.

The SEAL unit, which is the Navy's counterpart to the Army's Green Berets, is regarded as one of the world's finest commando and special operations units. SEAL is an acronym for Sea, Air, Land.

In 2004, Lewis reported to the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, Calif., and in January of this year he was transferred to an East Coast SEAL team.

Lewis' military awards included the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Corps' Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Lewis became the 40th active-duty service member with Connecticut ties, and the second from Brookfield, to die in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.

In March 2005, 21-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. John T. Schmidt III died from injuries sustained in a firefight near Fallujah.

Although Lewis' family declined to be interviewed Monday, an obituary notice they prepared for publication today noted that Lewis enjoyed fly-fishing, rock climbing, cycling, and all outdoor activities.

The notice concluded, "He was a devoted father who loved spending time with his family."

From the News Times

Related Link:
Jason Dale Lewis dies 'as a result of enemy action while conducting combat operations'