A Message From Major Kane
This is the first update in quite some time, and this is perhaps the hardest one that I will ever have to do. Normally my summer updates are all about Little League, softball, swimming, and vacations, but this message is only going to be about one subject.
It is a difficult topic for me to cover, but I am dedicating this message to the memory of John “John A” Anczarski. John’s life ended tragically last week in New Mexico, and we have lost one of the best examples of a DARE Role Model that ever graced North Schuylkill. John’s life ended way too early, but the mark that he left on this world is indescribable!
John A was chosen to serve on the DARE Advisory Board when he was in seventh grade, and he served proudly and well from 2003 until he graduated in 2008. John was one of the few in DARE Board history to serve for six years, and he served well. John was involved in many DARE races, basketball games, Fun Nights, swim parties, and the list goes on and on. John worked hard, and he made our projects fun. He had an infectious smile and a positive attitude, and he was a joy to work with. The younger kids looked up to him, and the older kids respected him because of his attitude and abilities.
At a sixth grade swim, not sure of the year!
Being on the DARE Board involves work, but there is quite a bit of fun involved at times as well. One DARE night that stands out in my memory is the night after a DARE graduation at Saint Ambrose. John had volunteered to come down and help, and after it was over we were headed to Pizza Hut for something to eat. We packed the DARE van up (this was pre Cheese Truck time) and headed out. When I turned on to the main road, John was behind me flashing his lights. I stopped, John pulled in, and laughingly he told me that I had pulled out with my laptop and two digital cameras on top of the van. Needless to say, all of the electronic items were ruined, and John kept giving me that “how could you be so stupid” look! We had fun at Pizza Hut anyway, and it was a memorable night because of my stupidity and because of the conversation.
At a DARE Board picnic, probably 2006!
The DARE Board, past and present, got together Sunday night to plan some type of memorial for John, and it was nice to see some of the older DARE Board members, but it was such a sad time. After a while, people started telling their favorite John A stories, and it was nice to hear firsthand accounts of how he had touched so many lives. John made a big impression on so many people and so many of us will carry him in our hearts all of our lives.
John was “pedaling pink” to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer and his trip across the Country touched so many people. I am sure that John’s family and the other members of the Pink Pedal Team are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and sympathy from across the nation. I am proud that our area has rallied behind the memory of John and the efforts of the Pink Pedal team; it seems that there are pink ribbons and bows everywhere.
In the days and months to come, please take time to think of and pray for the Anczarski family. John and Joyce have lost a wonderful son, and Jamie and Jadyn have lost a big brother and a role model. I cannot begin to imagine the weight of their grief, but they have all of my sympathy. I want to personally thank them for sharing John with me, and I have to say that I am a better person for having been John’s friend! Please remember Ty, Travis, and Nick as well. It must have been an overwhelming burden to be thousands of miles from home and be at the accident scene. Those young men need our support at this time too, and they are to be commended for how well they handled the situation, and for their efforts in raising funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
