|
 In
the early morning hours of Saturday, July 22, 2000, Ensign
John
Elliott and his girlfriend, Kristen Hohenwarter, were traveling
home from Annapolis, MD to New Jersey for the birthday celebration
of John’s mother. A car swerved into John’s oncoming
lane striking John’s car head-on, killing both John and
the driver of the other car and seriously injuring Kristen.
It could
have been avoided.
The person
who struck John’s car had been arrested by Police three
hours earlier and charged with Driving While Intoxicated. Two
hours later he was released to a friend.
The person
charged with D.W.I. resumed driving. One hour later his sport
utility vehicle swerved into the oncoming lane, hitting John’s
car, killing them both.
A grief
shared by thousands…
 Several
thousand people attended John’s viewing and the memorial
service held the next day in his hometown church. Family, friends,
members of the community and classmates from the Naval Academy
waited hours in the rain to say goodbye to John and share his
family’s sorrow. As if heaven shared their grief, the rain
continued the next day as a thousand mourners filled Central United
Methodist Church to pay their final respects and hear stirring
tributes from John’s pastor, father and close friends.
 Eulogy
delivered by Bill Elliott at Memorial Service - 7/26/00
Thank you ad to the community
for the outpouring of support
 A
second memorial service was held at the Naval Academy. There he
was laid to rest among admirals and naval heroes in the hallowed
Naval Academy Cemetery overlooking the Severn River in Annapolis.
Eulogy
by John’s father 8/28/2000
Eulogy by John’s
sister Jennifer 8/28/2000
So much promise unfulfilled…
 Ensign
John Robert Elliott was everyone’s best friend, a natural
leader and president of his high school class. Just two months
prior to his tragic death, John graduated with merit from the
Naval Academy, earning a BS in Systems Engineering. He served
as a squad leader, platoon commander and a reading tutor in the
local school system. He also was a member of the regimental championship
racquetball team. All four years at the Academy John served as
a Human Education Resource Officer (HERO), selected by his classmates
to be a peer counselor, advisor and mentor for members of his
company. Upon graduation, John was named the outstanding HERO
in his class, and eagerly anticipated entering Naval Flight Officer
School that September.
 John
is survived by his sister Jennifer and parents Bill and Muriel.
Their lives have changed forever. The family has dedicated itself
to honoring John’s life by working to ensure that other families
will never have to experience their loss.
This granite
cross and plaque (on left) has been placed at the site where John
was killed, on Route 40 in Upper Pittsgrove Township, Salem County,
N.J. (click photos to see a larger version)
top
of page
|
