Master Sgt. Art Lilley aka NC_Zuk killed in Afghanistan (official information)

[Blue Ridge Runner]

Art's security detail will be handled by The Patriot Guard.

There are many nice words posted about Art there. Thank God for them.

[yoothgeye]

I was driving to the beach with my family on Friday when my sister called to give me the news that Mike had read on the board earlier that day. I never know what to say when people tell me about a death.

I was immediately at peace for Art because in the past we discussed Christian issues and I knew that he had secured his eterrnity in heaven through God's grace, but I was also immediately heartbroken for his family. When I think of the time I first met Art and I was shaking his hand and talking to him, I replay that memory in my mind and my focus turns from Art's face and settles on his 2 kids. Buckled into their army issue OD seats in the back of his Samurai. Their smiling faces, red hair, and sunburns. I hurt so bad for them, it's bad enough to lose a father, but a great father, so mush worse. They have so much life left in them, and still having a great father I can't imagine what the future holds for them.

As I continued toward the outer banks I had a lump in my throat as I shared the news with my wife. She remembered meeting him and his children and she hurt for the family as well. We kept riding in silence as my mind dreamed that maybe there had been a mistake, or some sick joke, kinda like in the movies. You know, everyone would be grieving and then Art would bust through the door and say "It was a mistake!" But life isn't a movie. People die... we all die, we have to be ready for, and Art was ready. He had his spiritual baggage packed.

We all have great memories of Art and are enjoying talking about him now and talking about how we are praying for him now, but our true devotion to Art will come if those memories of him change us. If we see how great he was and instead of saying "I wish I could be like him" we actually make changes to be better people. If instead of just saying a prayer to God for Art, we take up praying to God for everything, all the time, just like Art always has.

Art will be missed, but I'd rather he be honored by all of us. Let's be the people who Art would have proudly reminisced about had it been us.

Rest in Peace Art Lilley.

[Twiss]

I never had a chance to meet Art, but I have spoke with him via PMs.  He is a great guy and will truly be missed.

Praying for him and his family.

[Cameron]

We all have great memories of Art and are enjoying talking about him now and talking about how we are praying for him now, but our true devotion to Art will come if those memories of him change us. If we see how great he was and instead of saying "I wish I could be like him" we actually make changes to be better people. If instead of just saying a prayer to God for Art, we take up praying to God for everything, all the time, just like Art always has.

Art will be missed, but I'd rather he be honored by all of us. Let's be the people who Art would have proudly reminisced about had it been us.

Rest in Peace Art Lilley.

Justin that is very touching.  Thank you for writing that out.

As far as trying to be like him of course no one can be like him.  All we can do is pick up where he left off in helping people in any and all situations possible and taking the time to touch people as we all walk through life.  

I like many others have not met him personally but looked forward to his return to the States so I could meet him thank him for his service and get some wheelin time with him.  The closest I have come is talking to him on the boards for the last couple of years.  

In reading everything that has been written about him in the last couple of days it is very easy to see that he was a great man husband father brother and friend.  I have read some funny some touching and some serious stories in the last few days and it really makes someone wonder why we all cant be like that.  The most touching one I read was in the "Favorite memories of Art" thread talking about a fella's first Zu trip with his son who was autistic.  Art came by one night and stopped to talk for a few minutes.  He got up and left abruptly returning a few minutes later with some light sticks for the young boy and showing him how to use them.  Or the big "Tim Horton" mug that seemed to go with him everywhere he went.  

I can only imagine what his family is going through not only losing a husband and father but a great husband and father.  Knowing it is a military family helps because you know they have the strength to carry on.

I dont think any one person can fill his shoes but I think we can all come together and show what made him the man he was which will let his legacy carry on.

RIP Art.

[minutemisersales]

May God Bless You & Your Family. My Thoughts & Prayers Will Be With You!

Rest In Pease Sgt. Art Lilley.

[yoothgeye]

People have talked about painting their Zuks orange or part of it orange in memory of Art, but how about a nice little sticker. Along the lines of the thin blue line and thin red line stickers. Someone could make some.

[bcrewcaptain]

People have talked about painting their Zuks orange or part of it orange in memory of Art, but how about a nice little sticker. Along the lines of the thin blue line and thin red line stickers. Someone could make some.

there are a couple stickers in the works already, I know a few folks are planning on placing the stickers over a orange background on the rigs...

[Yankee Tim]

Very sad to hear this.

my thoughts and prayers are with his family now.

[Todd]

I like this sticker idea Justin.

[Dihnekis]

Hmm, that seems like a great idea. I'd definitely be in for a sticker, and have the proceeds go towards the family or a cause Art believed in.

Actually, a nice orange stripe down the side of my all black sammy would be very nice.

I also definitey think an annual trail ride should be started in his honor, as someone else suggested in some other thread. This man's positive impact on our community, and so many other communties cannot be understated.

[VA88ZUK]

Justin,
I have never had the opportunity to shake hands with you and say hello face to face.  I just wanted to add that I am moved by your post and think that you have done justice to a man we all considered a friend.

Thank you for your time to put that here. You are right on the money in so many ways.

Patrick

[mudfkr]

I heard this sad news yesterday Vai an email from Zuwharrie admin and couldn't believe it and at the time couldn't put any words togetther to post.

I too like many have never had the chance to Meet Art in person and probably never would have as I live in another country far away. I recalled several PM's Yesterday I had sent Art to ask about the Popsicle suspension system that I was looking at using in my truck too and the replies I got back were second to none - Art had all the time in the world to answer any question from any one!  We may have lost a great example of a person dedicated to his Country, Family, Church and Zuk's too but  we all will never forget a Man like Master Sargent Arthur Lilley.

My condolences go out to his Family.

RIP Art Lilley

Shane Booth,
New Zealand

[Nomaad]

I have to say this has hit me harder than I realized it might. I have many friends in service right now, I too have been to war and back. Lost a few good friends, but it seems different when you know someone out of uniform. You forget the job someone does. When your in, it's hard to forget, so, sometimes it makes the loss a little easier to take. I know even though I have slipped away from the Suzuki groups I feel like something is now missing from the world that Art is gone...

I would like to offer my sincerest best wishes to the family.

Bill Sellers aka Nomaad

[GA_ZUK]

God Bless and thank you Art for everything 

[ZUKIMON]

I was immediately at peace for Art because in the past we discussed Christian issues and I knew that he had secured his eterrnity in heaven through God's grace, but I was also immediately heartbroken for his family. When I think of the time I first met Art and I was shaking his hand and talking to him, I replay that memory in my mind and my focus turns from Art's face and settles on his 2 kids. Buckled into their army issue OD seats in the back of his Samurai. Their smiling faces, red hair, and sunburns. I hurt so bad for them, it's bad enough to lose a father, but a great father, so mush worse. They have so much life left in them, and still having a great father I can't imagine what the future holds for them.

Justin, thank you so much for putting into words the exact way that I am and was feeling as soon as I heard the news. I have no doubt that he is at home with God, but I just can't stand knowing that his children will be without him. I also know without a doubt, that he loved them the way that we all should love our children, and the love was mutual between them.