This week I received a forwarded email from VMI:
The Superintendent regrets to inform the VMI community of the death ofMarine First Sergeant Luke J. Mercardante, who was killed in action April 15 by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He was serving as acting sergeant major of Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit at the time of his death. First Sergeant Mercardante served as an Assistant Marine Officer Instructor in VMI’s Naval ROTC from March 2003 to July 2005. He was an Honorary Brother Rat of the Class of 2007. Information concerning arrangements will be provided when it becomes available.
To become an honorary BR demonstrates just how much influence one man can have on a class, with its varied service options, backgrounds and career intentions. By all accounts he was the consummate Marine. He will be missed, but his legacy lives in his cadets and others who served with him, who are now taking the field across the globe.
Semper Fidelis, First Sergeant, and Godspeed.
Update John - There’s a Facebook memorial site dedicated to Sergeant Mercardante, and already several hundred members of the VMI family have signed on to show their support. His daughter Cailin also logged on to write this note, which just broke my heart.
wow.. i cant believe this. this whole thing wasent supposed to happen to us. he was my daddy, my best friend, and my role model. just because hes not really in life here.. dosent mean that hes not HERE. I love this man so much. we shared so many memories together. i was his date to Ring Figure.. it was such an honor to be his date and to be the one lucky enough to put his class of 2007 ring on his finger. i remember this event like it was yesterday. and we were laughing and having a good time.. and now.. just this morning i was at an airport to meet his body there. it was heart breaking. and i remember when i first heard the news.. i was FLABBERGASTED! this man ment and still means so much to me and all of my family. i love you daddy.. and i know that your going to be watching out for me.
♥ Cailin Christine Mercardante ♥
Like Col P said, to be elected an honorary Brother Rat by a VMI class is a tremendous achievement. Each year VMI’s second class (juniors) bring two members of the VMI faculty or staff in their ranks. Two people who have had a lasting and powerful impact on the development of each class’ cadets. It means that that person is forever a member of the VMI family, bonds which –as Sgt. Mercardante has proven– can not be shattered even in death.
Sgt. Mercardante loved VMI and VMI loved Sgt. Mercardante. As long as the Virginia Military Institute stands, his name will be etched in the halls of our heroes. Godspeed.
I am not a VMI grad, nor vet, but RIP
1st Sgt Luke Mercardante was Brother Rat to my son. My son is now a 2nd LT USMC and the influence that then “Gunny” had on my son will live on as he carries forth the task of leading Marines. I will be forever grateful for his leadership.
Cailin,
I am so sorry for your loss. May each day take you farther from this tragedy.
Semper Fidelis,
Richard S. Lowry
RIP warrior, you are missed.
LUKE,,,,I WILL MISS U….
1st sgt mercardante was my senior drill instructor at parris island. he was a great man
a true leader and he never forgot about his marines. i ran into him two years ago and he remembered me and that meant something to me because he trained over 1200 recruits. he taught me how to overcome my fears and what it took to become a marine i will never forget him.
Semper Fi
1st sgt mercardante was my senior drill instructor at parris island. he was a great man
a true leader and he never forgot about his marines. i ran into him two years ago and he remembered me and that meant something to me because he trained over 1200 recruits. he taught me how to overcome my fears and what it took to become a marine i will never forget him.
Semper Fi
hello,
i dont know if you reamber me but me and you were best of frinds when you lived down here in VA. i miss alot and i am thinking of you and your family! i tried my hardest to find you phone number. i even called 411. haha. i finally found your number on a website. i called you and left you a message. if you want you can email me at taymad15@yahoo.com i check it daily and WILL email you back! i really do miss you and wish that you could come and visit. you were a very good friend to me and now is the time that i have to be that same friend to you as you were to me! just email me or call me at the number that i called you from!
love you,
Taylor Madsion Royer.
1stSgt Mercardante (Luke),
Will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives he touched. We have known each other since 1992 and he has been a close friend since then. We trained Marines together at Parris Island and talked about family on our personal time. He was and is a true friend. You will be missed!!
MSgt Bryant Humphries
2d Bn Golf Company (1999-2002)
1stSgt Mercardante (Luke),
Will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives he touched. We have known each other since 1992 and he has been a close friend since then. We trained Marines together at Parris Island and talked about family on our personal time. He was and is a true friend. You will be missed!!
MSgt Bryant Humphries
2d Bn Golf Company (1999-2002)
1st Sergeant Mercardante,
I could never, with all the time in this world and the next, be able to describe accurately in words what 1st Sergeant Mercardante meant to me. When I knew him he was still a Gunnery Sergeant. First time I really got to meet him, I was a rat at VMI. He had me standing tall in his office, being throughly chewed up for missing a PT test. He never once said my name correctly. Still, this man, this Marine, left such an impact on my life. His tireless motivation, ceaseless professionalism, and unmatched honor changed the way I viewed my life and the role I wanted to have in the military. Luke Mercardante is my brother rat. I’ve never been more proud to say that of any man. Now the torch is our, and we will do you proud Gunny. God bless you and welcome you to him. My prayers and memories will always be with you and your family. Godspeed, Rah Virginia Mil, and always, Semper Fi.
2Lt J.D. Eanett, USAF
1st Security Forces
VMI Class of 2007
The Institute shall never die.
God bless you and your two incredibly strong children.
Cailin,
Sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great man and im honored to have served with him in Iraq (2006). He kept everyone together and motivated everyone in every way possible, I will always remember him as the best leader and someone to look up to. I remember him having things that u sent him on his wall and pictures of you as well. He loves u a lot and I know he’s looking after you. Again sorry for your loss.
Semper Fi!
Cpl Aquino, Artis
I was just a recruit in 99 when I met the then D.I Sgt Mercardante. he was in Follow Series and I was in Lead in “G” Company, PLT 2032. He used to scare the hell out of us and he wasnt even or DI.. The Marine Corps is truly at a lose. This Marine is one of Few that truly was (is) a Motitvator.
I hope I can be half of the Marine he is (was). Semper Fi Brother.
Dear Wife of a great man,
It is left to you now to remember and proclaim his service. It is left to you now to carry his spirit and instill in your daughter the great presence and honor that was your husband and her father. He is a man to be honored because of his service and sacrifice to this country. He will always be known to us that respect and uphold the sacrifice of those who have for the protection of this greatest nation sworn
their lives to it’s defense. My own son trains now for what will be his 4th deployment, I will pray for you and your dear child, I will ask my children to pray for him this next night for his ultimate giving of himself in duty for our country and for you and your daughter for comfort and strength.
wow.. i cant believe this. when i placed my comment on the facebook group dedicated to my wonderful father.. i didnt think that it was going to be published on the main internet. that anybody can view. because on facebook.. everything is private.. and you have to be signed in to do anything. i have a facebook account and if any of you would like to send me a message and just talk to me.. my name on facebook is Cailin Christine. and my father was not married.. he was almost ingaged. he was going to be marrying a beautiful woman named Kim Hull. she has a 5 year old son named Noah. in the last year that my father was alive.. we would spend every minute that we were together with Ms. Kim and Noah. they are like my second mom and my little brother that i would do anything in this earth for. i love them so much. and if you were lucky enough to know my father in person.. then you must have been a wonderful friend because my dad didnt take much crap from people that he thought were his friends. well.. i just wanted to let you all know how i feel. i love you daddy poo poo =]
–^ Cailin Christine Mercardante ^–
He was the best Drill Sergeant I had back in ’98. My best wishes for his family.
I am blown away by my “pseudo-step children” I love both of you as friends….miss you poos……
Uncle Luke,
i miss you soo much and you were the best uncle.you were a great person to be around and made everyon laugh at worst times!
i love you so much and i know you are always watching out for cailin, Ms. Kim, and your family! I LOVE YOU.
*Katie*
Luke was my roommate for a while when we were stationed at Parris Island in the early 90s. He was the most dedicated, loyal, honorable Marine I had ever met. It was my priviledge to know him. I will never forget him. To his family: You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless You Luke! Semper Fi!
First Sergeant Luke Mercardante,
While assigned as an Army instructor at VMI, Luke and I became friends and that is a friendship that I will never forget. At the time Luke was a Gunnery Sergeant and I was impressed daily how he carried himself, his attitude and professionalism. He displayed a poster example of a United States Marine and I respected this because this Man was a true Professional. Just before he departed VMI he moved in with me and we were able to have some good times. I believe it was 2005 we road our Harleys to DC for Rolling Thunder and stayed at my mother and father in-laws over an extended weekend. Luke also made a very positive impact on my Son Nick who often talks about the great Marine.
Luke You will be missed but never forgotten, I SALUTE you my friend.
1SG William H. Goudy
Luke and I went through Corrections School together at Lakeland AFB in 1992. He was a good friend and one hell of a Marine.
Semper Fi
Luke,
Luke was my neighbor when he was stationed at Camp Lejenue….I was devastated when I heard of the loss…He was a Marines Marine….I remember the good times I had with him…drinking Magaritas and smoking a cigar after work….you are missed. Cailin I hope you and little Luke are well. Go Bless.
50 Golfing Wisdom Years
Albuquerque, New Mexico Torres at a private golf club