We have some sad news to report on the death of an old Tomahawk warrior and hero - Jim Hart. The following messages from his comrades, are being shared, as a way to honor his memory.  Bill McDonald 

Jim was a member of the 128th AHC in 70-71. I just received this message 
via the VHFCN and am passing it on to you, his fellow Tomahawks.
                                                  Doc

Flight,
   It is my sad duty to report the death of a HV Warrior-Jim Hart.
I met Jim at a mini I held in Maine along with Jerry Feldman, Larry
Burbridge, Dave Livingston, Jim and myself.  We had a great day
swapping stories and Jim loved my chili (although he paid dearly for
it later). Jim was instantly a friend that I had known for years-You
know-One of the Good Guys!!!  I had last heard from Jim in December
(his email posted below to describe his situation better than I
could do).  I have tried to email him since and finally emailed his
son Tim yesterday. His son wrote me last night and I include that as
it has the times of Wake and Funeral.  I am also adding a
self-explanatory email from Frank "Doc" Reilly.
         It is hard to lose anyone here, but I think it is the personal
meetings, handshakes, story swapping, and just plain camaraderie
that adds so much to the friendship and ultimately to the loss of
that friend.  Jim  has a lovely wife, daughter and 2 great sons                     (hockey players extraordinaire)  that will miss him dearly as we all
should. He was a lurker on HV, but that was Jim's quiet , genuine and
non confrontational demeanor-One of  the Good Guys!!!!
        Please read the note from Jim, His son Tim and Frank Reilly and
bow your heads , if you are so inclined, to pray to whatever God you
choose for Jim Hart's journey to Fiddler's Green and to give
strength to the loving family that he has left behind.
Raising a toast to Jim Hart!!!
Rick Bailey-Bulldog 10

Jim's letter in December:
Hey Rick,
I talked with Doc yesterday and Monday, I am going to have a coffee or
something like that.  There have been several new developments since
the last time we talked, so let me fill you in on them.  The cancer
is located in 3 different places the lung, behind the kidney, and in
the knee. Its not what I wanted for Christmas, but its better than
coal.  Now the explanation, the worst is in the Knee (left) this is
what has placed the rest in the lungs, behind the kidney and in the
lymph nodes.  The good news is that it can be treated, how well they
are not sure until they get into the knee. That is were the real
problem exist. Now comes the Real Kicker Back in 98, I had to go for
a bone scan in my left knee and what showed up according to the
Radiologist is a cyst. The doctor from Brigrams and Womens showed me
the films. he read them WRONG it was cancer then and still cancer
now.............Tuesday he is going in and making some decisions
then. I will be in the hospital until Friday, or Saturday They are
going to put a rod in my leg because during radiation treatment it
will probably break my leg. So that is were they will start and I
should have more information later the lung cancer that I dont
understand, but they will treat it second and I am dealing with dana
farber cancer for that.  My niece who is becoming a doctor and in
her 6th year, found these guys for me Thank God.
these are my sons e-mail address if you need any information while
I'm in the hospital

Timmy   ADROCK018@aol.com
Steven    Mission627@aol.com  

My wife doesn't use the computer at home

Jim Hart
128th AHC
70 - 71
Plymouth Ma
508-759-4019

Letter from Jim's son Tim:

Dear Rick
I regret to inform you that my father James Edward Hart Jr. has past away on 3/23/02, but if you would like to know when the services are the are... Tues 3/26/02 (wake) from 5-9 @ Davis Funeral home in Plymouth MA on 619 State Road, and the funeral is a 9:30 am on 3/27/02, same place if you have any questions please feel free to call my house 508-759-4019
                   Sincerely, Jims' oldest son -  Tim


Letter from Frank Reilly:
I have lost a close personal friend, and you guys have lost another Brother.

Jim Hart passed away on Saturday after a brief fight with cancer. Jim served with the 128th AHC. Please keep Barbara and her children in your thoughts and prayers.

He insisted on supplying all the lobsters at my last Mini, and even gave some to my neighbors. Nice guy and a REAL family man. The last time I talked was just before Christmas, he then withdrew to his family. The times at my home and Rick Bailey's parents home was his coming out of his shell.

Frank


James E. Hart Jr.

Of Plymouth, formerly of Salem, March 23, at home after a brief illness.
Beloved husband of Barbara (Jolley) Hart of Plymouth. Loving father of
Jillian, Timothy, and Steven all of Plymouth. Brother of Michael of NH,
Kevin of Beverly, Eileen Porter of Woburn, Peggy Melanson of Lynn, and Kathy Griffin of ME. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Richard Davis Funeral Home, 619 State Rd., (Rte. 3A), MANOMET, Wednesday, March 27, at 9 a.m. Followed by a funeral mass at St. Bonaventure Church at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be Tuesday, March 26 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Plymouth South High School Boosters Club, 490 Long Pond Rd., Plymouth, MA 02360. Burial will be in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. US Army Veteran Vietnam War.

FROM REV. BILL: We all will miss Jim - he was a valued member of this Tomahawk family. Good-bye Jim and God bless you....

WEBSITE TRIBUTE 

  http://www.geocities.com/jimhartmemorial/

created by
Leilah Ash-Ward
Military Spouse,
Den Mother to the Vets.
www.geocities.com/ourbarracks

From: mike & kathy griffin
To: angelnet@citlink.net
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2002
Subject: Thinking of my brother Jimmy Hart

Dear Bill,

I want to thank you for all the support that you gave to my brother Jimmy Hart. He was a very kind hearted person, would do anything for his family and for any child or anyone that he meet! I know that being connected to all of you, made a difference to him. I have read is memorial, and know that he would have been happy, and proud with people thinking about him and his family.

Again thank you for being there for him, all of you were very important to him.

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