Maybe Dimebag and Jon have met on occasion but personally, I don't see them as being friends or close. I understand where Jon/Bon Jovi are coming from in this regards because it would be as if they are jumping on the bandwagon. All of a sudden this event occurs and Jon is making a statement on Dimebag as if they were good friends? Pantera/Damageplan's music and Bon Jovi's music were so completely different. All the bands that you have mentioned were friends with Dimebag and met him on more than one occasion. If Jon were to talk, honestly people might think, when the hell did Jon meet Dimebag? now he thinks he can talk?

If Jon were to send a message I think he would do it privately and to Vinnie and the family on the loss of their brother/son.