Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Mark,

Seems like yesterday I was talking to you on the phone from Afghanistan during Christmas of 04. Making sure you got my email to read to all the guys at PD during the Christmas party. I know the holidays are a hard time for all that know and love you as you were always full of holiday spirit. Just thinking of you and the time we shared.

Sean

1stSgt O'Neill
USMC

December 29, 2008

Merry Christmas Mark,

I was getting ready to wake the girls up to open Christmas presents and couldn't help thinking about all of our Christmases together. How much fun we had with the kids. Last night we had a few friends over and Kayla was telling them about the time we used the wrapping paper that didn't tear. They practically had to cut the paper off to open their gifts. Both girls were talking about some of the stunts you pulled on them. They miss you so much, we all do.

I'm going to keep this short, I don't want the girls to see how hard this is for me. I love you and miss you more than ever.

Merry Christmas.

Love always,

Deanna

Wife of Cpl. Mark Jones

December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas Son, Well here it is another Christmas holiday without you. Even after almost 4 years, this just doesn't seem right. I still expect to hear the phone ring with you on the other end wishing us a Merry Christmas, or singing something. I think of you daily and want you to know just how proud we are of you and all that you did. I miss you more than I thought possible.
Matt and the boys are coming over in about an hour. We are going to do breakfast then open gifts. Last Sunday, Ray and Brooke opened their gifts. Matt and the boys were here also, but Matt wanted them to wait until Christmas for the gifts.
I will be calling Beaufort later this morning. Deanna sent us a beautiful flower arrangement.
Well, I guess I should sign off for now since I need to get my act in gear. I love and miss you so very much.
Merry Christmas. Keep watch over those of us still here on Earth.
Mom

Darlene Jones/Mother

December 25, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving Mark.

As always, I have thought about you a lot today. I miss you so much.

I had to laugh as I made the green bean casarole. I kept thinking about how you brought back a recipe from you aunt in PA. You were raving about how good it was. When I looked at the recipe it was the same one I had been wanting to make for 10 years but you said you didn't like it and would never try it. You didn't believe me until I pulled out my recipe. Talk about stubborn.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you, as I do everyday. I love you and miss you so much.

Love,

Deanna

Anonymous

November 27, 2008

Just stopping by to let you know i was thinking of you. And today is Thanksgiving I have a lot to be thankful for but the most important thing i have to be thankful for is having you as my very best friend. Thanks Mark for all the good times we had and thank you for being the best friend you were and i hold all your memories close to my heart......love you always!!!!!!your friend from Georgia

missing you so much

November 27, 2008

Good Morning Son, Well here it is Nov. 22. We will be having our Thanksgiving Dinner today since it it the week-end that your brothers have their children. So everyone will be here later today. Matt is making fried turkey this year. I baked the pies, as always. The only thing missing will be you and your family. The holidays are still really difficult. I miss you so very much. I still just wish for at least one last visit with you so I could tell you just how much I love you and get one of your big hugs. I know that isn't possible, but I can wish-can't I?
Wishing you a Happpy Thanksgiving.
Love and Miss You.
Mom

Darlene Jones/Mother

November 22, 2008

hey im sure u heard wat happen some of your co workers tried to blame me for somethin i didnt do so i decided to get away from that and get my life straight i am now a pastor and i have just joined the united states marine corps i thought i wuld just write to see how everything was love you and hope to see you again........

p.s.
how in the world did you make it through the marine corp i dont know but please help me through it i can do it jus i didnt think it would be this easy and since its easy im scared on whats to come because it seems to easy to be the marine corps love josh

PFC. Joshua Carroll
nephew

November 3, 2008

HI MARK, I WAS JUST STOPPING BY TO SAY HELLO AND LET YOU KNOW I MISS YOU SO VERY MUCH. IT IS COMING UP TO THE HOLIDAYS AND ITS GONNA GET HARDER CAUSE I CAN STILL HERE YOU SINGING THAT CHRISTMAS SONG AND I JUST SMILE IT WAS SO FUNNY AND WHO YOU SANG IT ABOUT WAS EVEN FUNNIER AND THEY DIDNT EVEN KNOW YOU WHERE SINGING IT ABOUT THEM ONLY ME AND YOU KNEW THAT WAS THE FUNNY PART. I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT ALONG WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT, LAUGHED ABOUT AND JOKED ABOUT. WHAT FUN TIMES WE HAD. I SURE WISH WE COULD GO BACK TO THEM TIMES.... I WILL WRITE AGAIN LATER....LOVE YOU ALWAYS MY DEAR FRIEND.. I WILL ALWAYS CHERIOUS OUR MEMORIES THEN, NOW AND ALWAYS......LOVE ALWAYS................

your friend always and 4 ever
missing you everyday YOUR FRIEND FROM GEORGIA

November 3, 2008

Hey brother I love and miss you. I thought about you on my birhtday as you know we were only 3 yrs and 2 days apart. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. I miss you my brother my friend.

1stSgt O'Neill
USMC

October 24, 2008

Mark I am coming to wish you a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I am sorry I didnt do it on the 7th but I just couldnt bring it to myself to sit down at the computer so I am doing it now!! You are missed so much and it doesnt get any easier for me I know you are watching over us but its hard to sit and write on this page.It was so much easier talking face to face or on the phone as we did almost daily. I thank the Lord daily for letting us meet and becoming such great friends.I hold on to those memories and thats what gets me through tough days.I talk of you often and all I can do it smile cause you made a big differance in my life.I still think about all the things we talked about and you listening to my problems an I listened to yours and we gave each other advise.I really miss those times and I really miss your jokes,but I am sure you would be proud to know I remember them and I have laughed so hard thinking about them. But know I still remember everything you told me and it stays with me daily. Well I am gonna stop writing for now cause its starting to get to me but I will write again soon.....just keep watching over us and know that you are loves and missed very much!!!!!!!!!!! LOTS OF LOVE YOUR FRIEND ALWAYS AND 4-EVER

your friend always and missing you more!
love always and 4-ever

October 15, 2008

Happy Birthday, Mark.

Today you would have been 38. Instead of celebrating it together, I did what I have done for the last four years. I took you flowers.

It is hard to believe someone so vibrant could be taken from us so early. You accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. I often think about how much more you would have done. I still run into people that knew you and they tell me how much you meant to them. You touched so many lives.

I love you and miss you more than ever.

Love,

Deanna

Anonymous

October 7, 2008

Happy Birthday Mark David. Well this is your 4th heavenly birthday, you're just a baby in angel years. If you were still with us on earth you would be 38. I sure wish I could pick up the phone and wish you a happy birthday instead of putting it here on this memory page. Not a day goes by that you are not on my mind. It still seems so unreal for you to be gone. I miss you so much, my heart aches, nothing will ever be the same. You go through most of your life thinking that nothing really bad could ever happen, then suddenly you become one of those people that the unmentionable thing happens to. I try to live ever day as if it were my last because I know how quickly the end can come. I sure wish you were still here, I would make you pizza for your birthday, or anything else you wanted. Keep watch over your family and brothers in blue. I love you and miss you more than anyone can ever imagine.
All my Love,
Mom

Darlene Jones
Mother

October 7, 2008

Mark,
I know it's a little early, but wanted to wish you a happy birthday. It's been 20 years now since you first introduced me to your family, and I am still so grateful to you for the friendships that created. Your parents are wonderful people and I love them more than anyone can imagine or understand (even you!!). Keep watch over them and the rest of your family, too. They are all so proud of you!

Connie Gogola
friend

October 5, 2008

Mark,

Tomorrow would have been our 13th anniversary. Once again, the only thing I could do was take you flowers. I'm working a 12 hour shift tomorrow so I went to see you today. It still doesn't get any easier. Every time I visit you I am overwhelmed by the feeling of how wrong this is. This is not how life was supposed to be.

We always talked about what we wanted to do when we retired. How much fun we would have with our grandchildren, spoiling them rotten and then giving back to their parents (our children) to deal with. We talked about where we would live and what our home would be like. I think we talked more about a life together after we retired then we did about the present. It was something we both looked forward to so much. We were supposed to be spending it together. Now I can't think about what life will be like when I am older. I have trouble even committing to plans for the next month. I am not able to look to the future with excitement and anticipation anymore. I still have to face one day at a time.

It is also on days like today that I think about the gift I was given. I almost lost you before we had really begun our life together. I would not trade the extra time I had with you for anything. Not even for an end to this pain.

I can't imagine what my life would have been if I had not met you. I would have missed out on so much. Thank you for all the love and happiness you brought into my life and for teaching me to live life the way you did. I am a much better person for having you in my life.

I will love you and miss you always.

Happy Anniversary, Mark.

Love,

Deanna

Anonymous

September 29, 2008

Dear Mark David,

I just wanted to drop you a line and say how much I miss you. You are always on my mine and in my heart 24/7. Please continue to watch over our family and your brothers in blue.

Love, Dad

Mark Jones
Father

September 22, 2008

Hey Bro, It has been awhile since I have left any thing here, I dont like visiting this page, its hard still to do. You know I cant beleive how long its been, just seems like yesterday. I have a beautiful 1 year old daughter now, and know how you felt with your girls. I have enjoyed every minute with her. I wish you were here to meet her, she is so silly and fun. I know Deanna is reading this as well so I wilkl take a moment and appologizing for not calling or coming by to say Hello, and yeah I know you would like to meet her!
I Love all of you guys.
Mark keep a watch over Deanna and the girls as well of all of out here still keeping watch.

Eric

Detective Eric Baxter
Jasper County Sheriffs Office

August 6, 2008

just stopping by to let you know i was thinking about you as i do daily. i sure do miss you more and more. love always and 4 ever

your friend always and 4 ever

July 12, 2008

Hello Son, I haven't left a reflection in quite awhile. I visit your page every day, sometimes twice daily. I just thought I would send a little note today. Taylor is on her way to visit with your Dad, brothers, cousins, and me. We are all so excited to see her. It means I will have a part of you to touch for two weeks. I still miss you as much today as I did when you left us. As I said before the tears outside are less, but inside they flow freely. Things here in Cedar Rapids have been rough--record snow falls over the winter and most recently a record flood, the river crested at over 30 feet, such devastation. Well, I suppose I should go. I need to get ready to pick up your daughter. I know that you are watching over us. I have your license plate in my rear window and Dad always says that you are with me. I feel you with me all the time. Love and miss you more than anyone could imagine. I will give Taylor a big Daddy HUG today. Love, Mom

Darlene Jones/Mother

July 5, 2008

Happy Father's Day, Mark.

Here it is, another Father's Day without you. It still doesn't seem possible that you're gone. I keep wishing I would wake up from this terrible nightmare. Time does not make the pain any less or make our reality any easier to face.

Once again, the girls and I will go see you and take you flowers. We usually go first thing in the morning but Kayla had to work this morning. We are going to go this afternoon when she gets off work. I couldn't stand the thought of her going by herself.

I think this is one of the hardest things for me to deal with. The only time I get angry about what has happened is when the girls want to visit you and I have to take them to the cemetary. It tears my heart out every time. I learned along time ago that life is not fair, sometimes it just plain sucks. Its not fair that the kids had to learn this so early.

I am sorry the way this reflection has come out. I wanted it to be more positive but like I said this is one of the hardest holidays for me. Maybe because you were such a good father. You always let the kids know how much you loved them. You took time with them to show them how special they are. They girls love and miss you so much.

Well, I going to go now. Kayla should be getting home soon so we can go see you.

I love you and miss you.

Deanna

Wife of Cpl. Mark Jones

June 15, 2008

Mark,

The last few days have been pretty tough for me. The girls are growing up so fast. I can't stop thinking of all the things you are missing and all their accomplishments you should be here to see.

Last week Taylor had her school dance recital. I know how much you would have loved to watch her. She is such an amazing girl. Even after all the pain she has exprienced in her young life she is still so sweet and loving. She has so much more confidence in herself than I did at that age. I see so much of you in her. Her sense of humor, the kindness and compassion she shows to those around her, the laughter and joy she is stil able to find in life. All of it comes from you. I watch her dancing around the house, singing silly songs, and being goofy to entertain us. We all know where that come from. In my mind I see the two of you doing all these things together still.

Today Kayla will graduate from high school. She will be starting college in the fall. Some how we will get through today without you, but it will not be the same. I have so many memories of both of you running through my mind. I can see you dancing with her when she was so tiny you had to bend over to hold her hands. I remember the night she had that terrible ear ache. Nothing I did seemed to help, not even the medicine I gave her. She still tells people it was the Rocky Road icecream you gave her that made her better. I remember coming home from work to find you showing her how to iron her uniform and polish her boots when she joined the Marine Corps ROTC. Last night she threatened to wear her combat boots at graduation. She said they were more comfortable. Saturday was her senior prom. You should have seen her. She looked so beautiful.

I want you to know that we all miss you so much. We call on the strength you gave us to get through these difficult days. You are in our thoughts each and every day.

I love you and miss you so much.

Love,

Deanna

Wife of Cpl. Mark Jones

June 4, 2008

Just dropping by to say hello and let you know you were on my mind as always I MISS YOU SOOOOOOOOO MUCH AND IT DOESNT GET ANY EASIER....... keep watching over us as i know you always do...love ya always and forever

your friend always
missing you more and more

May 10, 2008

Hi Daddy,

It's been awhile since i have gotten on but it is just so hard and it brings back all the pain of losing you. I still can't believe that i am about to graduate from high school and you wonst be sitting there watching me walk across the stage. I can't believe it has been three years already it still seems like it happened just yesterday. I can still remember that day so well. Every little detail is still so clear.

But on a happier note i was in a bowling tournment this past saturday. I bowled 6 games and i came in 5th place. Because i was in 5th i had to bowl some more to see if i would go to the national championship, which im not i come in thrid over all though. Anyway i know you were there helping my like i asked with every ball i threw. My total for my last three games was a 506. And when i saw that i knew you where there with me and just wanted to let me know. Also i beat my highest score twice my highest was a 179 but i beat that with a 186 and i beat that with a 192 and i have you to thank for that.

Well I need to go class will be over soon.

I love and miss you more and more with every passing day.

And I am still wishing you were here.

Kayla Blanks
Daughter

March 31, 2008

Just wanted to tell you Happy Easter. I sure do miss you!!
love ya like a brother always and forever.
your friend always.

your friend always
miising you so much

March 24, 2008

Happy Easter, Mark.

I love you and miss you.

Deanna

Wife of Cpl. Mark Jones

March 23, 2008

Dear Mark,

Happy Easter, I just wish that I could have told you in person, and also tell you how much I love you and miss you. I regret not telling you more often than I did. There is not day that goes bye that I don't think of you and all the joy that you brought into my life. I remember all the funny things you said and did when you were a kid. All the good times we had camping, hunting, fishing,playing catch, but most of all, the times we just talked about the different things going on in your life. It was so much fun watching you and your brothers growing up. Never a dull moment with you boys. I still find it hard to believe that you are no longer with us. I would give anything to be able to talk with you and hear you laugh one more time. You made your Mother and me very happy and proud. You will always be in my thoughts and in my heart. May You rest in peace and God bless you.

LOVE Dad.

Mark D. Jones
Dad

March 23, 2008