I was in the Army, state side when I heard of the downing of Pan Am 103. At the time I didn't realize I knew anyone on the plane. A few days later a friend called and said Jewel Mitchell was on the flight. I was stunned. We were in the Transportation Officer Basic Course at Fort Eustis, VA in 1987 where Jewel and I became friends. 

Jewel had a kind heart and was very easy going. Anyone who met him instantly liked him. I enjoyed our conversations about his homeland and how much living with his family in the United States meant to him. He was giving back to our country by serving in the Army. I am now a retired Colonel, age 72 and often think of him and how the world would be different if Jewel and the other victims had not perished in a senseless act of terrorism. I spent my career working against acts such as that and know that Jewel is at peace and in a better place than this world.