Worth Reading
http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2008/01/andy-olmsted.html?cid=95886692
Edit: By now my regular readers have all looked at this. First of all, I’m sorry for the lack of warning. I tried to write a some form of introduction for this and it just didn’t work.
I couldn’t come up with anything that didn’t just feel hollow against what Andy Olmstead wrote. Plus I felt anything I said would just take away from it. I’m still not sure that I feel qualified to comment on it at all other than to say that I think everyone who has anything resembling an opinion on this war should read it.
The military needs more leaders like him, and I’m sorry for what it took to bring his writing to my attention.
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January 5th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I thought it would be a link to something funny, because this is a funny site. I am still crying…
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January 5th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
I read that before bed last night, had a hard time getting to sleep.
Go in peace brave man, you do honor to the calling of warrior.
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January 5th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
With honor I salute you, the fallen, for your sacrifice is the greatest of all. With pain,sadness and sorrow we honor you and miss you.
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January 13th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
My condolences buddy. I just retired from the U.S. Army a month ago after 20+ years active duty and I still get choked up when i hear news of more service members dying in that blackhole called Iraq.
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January 18th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
That is not something you read every day. A letter from a dead guy. Nice thought from him, but it is a tad bit creepy.
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February 1st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Oh my god, that was rough. I’m still crying. Thank you for posting that.
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February 12th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Good people shouldn’t die half a world away from their families.
Peace, love, and hope for all of our service men and women still stuck in the desert.
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February 14th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Just read the post. Damn. I almost never get chocked up, but that did the trick. Never even met the guy and I think I’ll miss him. Should be more like him in the world.
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February 18th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
He was a good man. Your life probably saved others I salute you.
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February 19th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Such a beautiful dignified way to say goodbye. I can only dream of being so eloquent at the prospect of my death.
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March 31st, 2008 at 11:13 pm
***So if you’re up for that, put on a little 80s music (preferably vintage 1980-1984), ***
One for you from then, Mate. And another from just a bit later:
1983: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcOZ6xFxJqg
’89 or so: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKf5FaGBd6I
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January 21st, 2011 at 4:38 pm
When I started reading the linked site and the sites linked there someone started playing “Taps” inside my head.
I am no fan of the war in Afganistan or in Iraq, but I certainly can respect a soldier like major Olmstead.
It is almos midnight here in Europe now, my next drink’ll be for this man’s memory.
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January 21st, 2011 at 7:52 pm
just to make things clear, my nick comes from my rank, which is private of signal corps of Finnish Defence Force, I am a reservist though.
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