Submitter It's actually funny and lighthearted until he starts saying goodbye to his wife and you start bawling

This. Sooo this.

What we do in life does not, in fact, echo through eternity. This is because eternity is a sound-proofed biatch.

Enjoy your life while you have it.

wow, just. wow.

My god...


That was amazing to read. I thank you, subby.

/I can live with that
//IS my new farking mantra.

Freedom is not free!


Wipes tear.

His writings put more than a face on the average soldier; it reminded us of their souls.

RIP, good man.

:(

Sadly I'm certain, later on in this thread, his request that his death not be politicized (by either side) will be completely ignored.

RIP

i wish it had never had to be published.

Recoil Therapy: Sadly I'm certain, later on in this thread, his request that his death not be politicized (by either side) will be completely ignored.

RIP

This, sadly.

I don't have the time to post that, "At first I lol'd, but then....I serious'd" pic

I... guess I'm the only one that stopped reading after the second Babylon Five quote, and after I scrolled down to see how terribly terribly long it was.

This war sucks!
I wish we would just bomb the whole farking place and be done with it.

Girlfriend's brother is over there, she's worried sick..

This has to be fake, Any geek that much into Bab-5 would have no chance of ever finding a wife.

/got something in my eye.

That was really hard to read, but I'm so very glad that I did.

/very sad

:'(

Comes across as a really smart, insightful guy. Really painful to read.

AgentPendergast: This war sucks!
I wish we would just bomb the whole farking place and be done with it.

Methinks you missed the entire point of the man's screed.

"I would prefer that people remember the good things about me rather than mourning my loss..."

seems like a lot of people in this thread need to STFU then

He does have a name and a face -- not just an anonymous "reservist blogger". He's Major Andrew Olmsted.

ParagonComplex: I... guess I'm the only one that stopped reading after the second Babylon Five quote, and after I scrolled down to see how terribly terribly long it was.

Let's hear the brilliant things you'd say

Such a bright thoughtful soul

God Bless you and your family

I'd still
Guess who else
Boobies

I can't find a Fark cliche that works here.

Maybe C. bad things happen to good people

I read this as it was really funny until I started balling his wife.

That was amazing. RIP man.

I wish we would just bomb the whole farking place and be done with it.

You just read a moving personal account by a man who lost his life in war, and your reaction is a desire to use warfare to kill a great deal more people?

Fail

bojon: Freedom is not free!


Wipes tear.

What does that have to do with this?

Godspeed, Major.

I am reminded, very strongly, of this:

July 14, 1861
Camp Clark, Washington

My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days-perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more . . .

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing-perfectly willing-to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt . . .

Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me-perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness . . .

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again . . .

Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the first Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861.

R.I.P.

FTA: "When some people die, it's time to be sad. But when other people die, like really evil people, or the Irish, it's time to celebrate."
Jimmy Bender, "Greg the Bunny"

Got a chuckle out of me. Damn Irish.

crayz: I wish we would just bomb the whole farking place and be done with it.

You just read a moving personal account by a man who lost his life in war, and your reaction is a desire to use warfare to kill a great deal more people?

Fail


Better them than more americans.

Naman: bojon: Freedom is not free!


Wipes tear.

What does that have to do with this?

No one answer this man. If he cannot figure it out, he does not deserve the answer.

Naman: bojon: Freedom is not free!


Wipes tear.

What does that have to do with this?

? I mean ... huh? Read the f*n article. He posts the quote and tells you to lighten up and watch the damn movie for laughs.

Crap. Sorry.

jdcproskater3: Naman: bojon: Freedom is not free!


Wipes tear.

What does that have to do with this?

No one answer this man. If he cannot figure it out, he does not deserve the answer.

Sorry. Flu-addled brain made my non-seriousness detectors fail horribly there. Despite having seen the article mention the song from Team America, it didn't "click", and I thought it was a serious statement. Apologies.

Before TFA: moping about chicks.
After TFA: the chick thing, I'll sort out. Not having to worry about deadification all that much is nice. Being alive is nice.

...two minutes later: moping about life.

JonBuck: Godspeed, Major.

I am reminded, very strongly, of this:

July 14, 1861
Camp Clark, Washington

My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days-perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more . . .

I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing-perfectly willing-to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt . . .

Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.

The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me-perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness . . .

But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again . . .

Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the first Battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861.

Jesus!

ParagonComplex: I... guess I'm the only one that stopped reading after the second Babylon Five quote, and after I scrolled down to see how terribly terribly long it was.

It's actually not all that long; the comments section is the majority of the page.

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
- George S. Patton

Heck of an entry. Heck of a guy.

Who doesn't get teary-eyed at Babylon 5 references?

What a thing to write. It's similar to writing one's own obituary, in a way.
Andy seemed very astute, well-spoken, a good team member and leader. His family's loss is his country's as well.
Blessings to you, Andy, for who you were, what you did, and what you'll allow us to become in your passing.

Quote
..........
ParagonComplex 2008-01-04 11:29:16 PM
I... guess I'm the only one that stopped reading after the second Babylon Five quote, and after I scrolled down to see how terribly terribly long it was.
..........

Well, I suppose that if you were writing your own obituary, and you wanted to say something meaningful to fans, friends, and family, you might want to spend more than a paragraph or two on your sentiments for the sake of those who might care.

It is good thing to be able to read long sections of writings, unless you can afford to pay someone to digest the material for you.

RIP

/'scuse me, something's in my eye

I dislike letters written 'in case of death' as a rule. They're plain bad luck.

ParagonComplex sez:

I... guess I'm the only one that stopped reading after the second Babylon Five quote, and after I scrolled down to see how terribly terribly long it was.

Nope. When I saw that I stopped as well. If I had to write one of those things, I would cut right to the chase -- tell stories on my friends, and tell my enemies to fark off.

Mr. Xhin: You know who doesn't give a shait about dead soldiers?

Congratulations on being the very first asshole to do the one and only thing a dead soldier hoped wouldn't be done in his name.

tl;dr

I'm going to hell for saying that.