Iraq Blogger Major Andrew Olmsted Killed in Ambush
By Bill W. Thursday Jan 03, 2008 5:30pm
Just 2 months ago, following a three week absence from his blog due to a death in his family, Major Andrew Olmsted reassured his readers on his Rocky Mountain News blog "From the Front Lines" that he was Not Dead Yet.
Unfortunately, Andrew will not be able to do so again this time (via hilzoy).
Final Post
This is an entry I would have preferred not to have published, but there are limits to what we can control in life, and apparently I have passed one of those limits. And so, like G'Kar, I must say here what I would much prefer to say in person. I want to thank hilzoy for putting it up for me. It's not easy asking anyone to do something for you in the event of your death, and it is a testament to her quality that she didn't hesitate to accept the charge. As with many bloggers, I have a disgustingly large ego, and so I just couldn't bear the thought of not being able to have the last word if the need arose. Perhaps I take that further than most, I don't know. I hope so. It's frightening to think there are many people as neurotic as I am in the world. In any case, since I won't get another chance to say what I think, I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. Such as it is. ...(read on)
From the comments on his last post before his death:
This is Maj Andrew Olmsted's mother-in-law. My Daughter, Amanda, Andy's wife, was notified today 1/3/08 that Andrew was killed today in Iraq when his team was ambushed. I want to thank all you wonderful people who commented on Andy's blogs and wished him and his team. He will be missed by many. Thank you also for all your prayers. I'm sure Andy has a special place in Heaven.
Posted by Kathy on January 3, 2008 08:18 PM
Major Andrew Olmsted and Captain Thomas Casey were both killed when we were ambushed. They both displayed tremendous courage under fire. I am proud to have served with them. They will be greatly missed. We were all blessed to have known them. They will always be my brothers in arms.
Captain John ThompsonNightmare 3
Posted by John Thompson on January 4, 2008 06:37 AM
I have no words to add. Tears - yes. Words - no.
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so sad
My deepest condolences to his family and friends. May God rest his soul.
This is heart-breaking.
I hate the republican party for moving this country into an unwinnable "war" and for being the direct cause of deaths like this.
Damn.
Another victim of Kristol and Newt's Project for the New American Century.
May he rest in peace.
Headline News would rather report Britney's meltdown though. Better revenue generated with that formula.
I blame the 5th estate for this death as much as anyone else.
RIP
Jesus, this is truly ugly news in the midst of an ugly time...
Words cannot express what I feel toward his family. A prayer for it all to come to a swift end instead.
In honor of Olmsted's being a Babylon 5 fan, I toast his passing and proclaim him a fellow True Seeker.
God speed, sir. Where ever you are.
ambushed? Blackwater?
my deepest sympathies...to his family and friends, and his blog circle....light and prayers ...may we get the troops home...soon...
Oh geez.
Take care, brothers.
getalife @ 4:
times 3,908. And that's just on 'our side.'
This thing has dragged out longer then World War 2.
It's time to stop the madness.
Screw this neocon occupation and FU to the Bush/Cheney Crime Family- including Bill Kristol, Coultergeist, Rush and the like - that a great guy like this was murdered (by them) for their greed and power-hungry egos. Bastards, all of them. My sincere condolences to Amanda and Andrew's family.
Ambushed like Ciara Durkin and Pat Tillman you mean??????
Wait a minute, Iraq is supposed to be better and safer now, isn't it? I'm sorry this witty fellow is gone. God bless him.
I hope everyone trying to create a better world can have as much conviction.
"Lennier, get us the hell out of here."
"Initiating 'getting the hell out of here' maneuver."
-- Ivanova and Lennier in Babylon 5:"The Hour of the Wolf"
Rest in piece sir. *salutes*
Another good human being lost and no end in sight. "mission accomplished" yet Bush?
3 soldiers die in Iraq, the 1st of '08
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080104/NATIONWORLD/...
RIP G'Kar
:cry:
Maj. Olmstead makes me proud to be a human being. I will never lose hope in our species because Andrew spent time on this planet.
Maj. Olmsted makes me proud to be a human being. I will never lose hope in our species because Andrew spent time on this planet.
There are no words.
Yeah.
Halliburton got no bid government contracts so his death wasn't in vain.
Thanks for highlighting this. Condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. At Obsidian Wings, several commenters asked if there was anything we could do for his family.
Lollimom @ 3:
Uhm, didn't you read his letter? By posting that second part you just violated what he asked us not to do, which was use him to make a political point, however I agree with your first sentiment.
RIP
My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who Andrew touched during the time he had on earth, his brothers in arms who put their lives on the line everyday for their country and their fellow soldiers, and to the friends and family all the soldiers who have passed on before him during these past years.
God bless, MG
Although I don't recall reading Major Olmsted's blog,its clear he was a very bright and sensitive human being.I was raised an Army brat and have always understood that National Service crosses all boundaries of sex,religion and political ideology.People serve their country with pride for countless personal reasons and convictions.Its their job,and they do what they are asked to do.This death sheds more light on the kind of courageous individuals who,because they are asked, go to war,and have always gone to war.
My sincerest condolences.
Only the dead have seen the end of war - Plato
So true. And another American makes the ultimate sacrifice for a lie.
What a terrible travesty this God forsaken venture into old fashioned colonialism has turned into. So sorry his family has to pay for this lie with another tragic loss of life.
End this war and hold those reponsible for starting it.
I ran into a RW fucktard war (occupation) supporters yesterday. Still believes Saddam was bad and had to be removed. Still believes he had WMD's and used the 20 year old VX shell found on a Baghdad street to support his claim. Doesn't care about the price of oil because HE doesn't drive a car to work. Blames the Chinese for everything. What a a self centered ass. I told him so. I have completely run out of patience for these dead enders.
One more life given to support the corporate elite. RIP Major.
Hooah! You will be missed.
Shit.
I am deeply saddened by this report. Depressed, even. My condolences to his family and friends. My hope is that his passing will bring America one large step closer to leaving Iraq and ending this bloody mark on our country's history.
Major Olmsted and Capt. Casey gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. May their children find some comfort knowing that their fathers love with be with them always. Maj. Olmsted and Capt. Casey along with the thousands of others killed in our occupation of Iraq had the utmost courage to stand with their right hands held high swearing an oath to defend our nation. It is the fault of our lazy corporate media and Idealistic populous that have allowed Americas civilian leadership to run am muck. It is hero's like Maj. Olmsted and Capt. Casey that entrust their lives and oath to the Constitution to a competent, honest government to send them into harms way when absolutely necessary. Rest in Peace .
What a beautiful human being and a deep loss to the whole world. My profound condolences to all his family, his friends, and his brothers and sisters in arms who have obviously lost such a dear comrade.
May this brave patriot rest in peace. To his family I can only offer my deepest heartfelt sympathy. Bless you all.
If you read Maj. Olmstead's post you know he requested that no one attempt to use his death to make a political point, yet some of you just can't resist.
If you want to honor this man, please link to his post, tell everyone you know about it, offer your condolences to his loved ones and leave your politics out of it.
What a surprising thing, to suddenly find myself crying uncontrollably while reading his words. Much wisdom mixed with gentle humor. What a tragedy to have that voice extinguished for an evil and dishonest agenda. I will recommend his words to everyone that I love.
...say a prayer for the common foot soldier.
rip major.
Very sad, very tragic. Peace be upon him and his loved ones.
Thank you, Major Olmstead; you were truly a warrior-poet.
requiescat in pace.
My dear Major Olmstead,
The fact that you quote a beloved yet mythical science fiction character shows me that you did indeed have faith...faith that the human race and condition does survive. Here's to the hope Sir that your sacrifice does not go unheralded.
Here.goes.forth.into.the.afterlife.a.true.human.being...Thank.you.for.your.service,sir...God.bless.you.
G'Kar: It is said that the future is always born in pain. The history of war is the history of pain. If we are wise, what is born of that pain matures into the promise of a better world, because we learn that we can no longer afford the mistakes of the past.
Thank you Major Andrew Olmstead for your service to our country. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. God Speed my brother in arms.
Semper Fi @ 46:
except by our government!
I served under Major Olmstead back when he was Captain Olmstead, our Company Commander in HHC 1-68 Armor at Fort Carson. He was the nicest, most easy-going and quick-witted officers I have ever met. I'm so sorry that I was too shy to post anything on his blog when I discovered it almost two years ago. I'm sorry for a lot of things. Goodbye, sir.
This should be required reading for every literate human being. And those that can't read should have it read to them. Bless Major Olmstead as he blesses us with his spirit and his words. The sanctity of his life is equal to the sanctity of any life taken by violence and hatred. Major Olmstead is just better at articulating it. Aren't we fortunate to have a medium that allows us the dissemination of information like the internet does? During the Viet Nam era, I doubt we would ever have had the chance to be touched by a man like this. Truly remarkable.
I'm happy his message, his spirit was allowed to be shared with the rest of us, instead of being censored by the military he served so well. May the vision of peace be his direct and undying gift he leaves his family, friends, brothers and sisters in arms. Thank you.
we still use the internal combustion engine and troops keep dying. Thanks car makers
What could I say to describe how I feel? What difference would it make? God speed Olmsted. God speed.
"All of life can be broken down into moments of transition or moments of revelation. This had the feeling of both.
G'Quon wrote, There is a greater darkness than the one we fight. It is the darkness of the soul that has lost its way.
The war we fight is not against powers and principalities – it is against chaos and despair. Greater than the death of flesh is the death of hope, the death of dreams. Against this peril we can never surrender.
The future is all around us, waiting in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation.
No one knows the shape of that future, or where it will take us. We know only that it is always born in pain." Citizen Gkar Babylon5.
While you were alive I never knew of you. And now that you are gone I mourn you. We babylon 5 fans are a special bunch. And as Delenn said one person lost diminshes us all. I feel that we have lost someone great today. Godspeed Gkar to where the First ones dwell, somewhere beyond the rim where no shadows can fall.
this is for UK
what are you guys doing?
get off your ass and prevent more loss
http://www.stopwar.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=432&...
Another lamb sacrificed to the militant wolves. Rest in pace, Olmsted. With Bhutto and Olmsted's deaths, the messages is very clear...... this gosh darn War on Terror needs to END! How many more good beings will be sacrificed before the messages are clear to all Americans?
This is a all volunteer war machine we have. He knew the risk. He rolled the dice and lost. The men and women I always felt sorry for were the ones that were drafted by our wonderful government and forced to fight against there will. I don’t mean to sound cold and heartless. I’m not. His family and friends are in a world of pain right now. Don’t waste your time writing a response to my ramblings. I wont be reading them.
What a tragic waste this all is.
Here's another tear for your count. I hope it works. God's speed, Andrew.
To the personnel in Major Olmstead's unit and the rest of the military bloggers:
Thank you for your service and courage under enemy fire. Even more your great courage in expressing your views for all to see. In the military pecking order that is frowned upon. There is a double cost...your chances for advancement and your life. You are highly courageous and intelligent people. I have never seen your comments..but I respect you immensely although I oppose the war and the bushco regime.
I wish the very best to those you have left behind and hope that the next administration will make sure the 200,000 homeless vets will have a roof over their heads and the care they need and have earned.
I'm sorry the guy was killed... BUT... he knew what he was getting into when he enlisted, voluntarily. So let's all stop the phony sympathy.
"Live by the sword..."
Reading his blog, sounds like it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy :>. He was killed as an aggressive occupier of a foreign country, whoever killed him did so to defend their country, this fact is all that's needed to see the hypocrisy of his moralistic ramblings and Babylon 5 quotes.
As to the comments of the so-called members of the "left" here, I suppose in every empire there comes a moment when everyone, regardless of political affiliation, feels that their nation/culture/race is superior and that their power should be defended and maintained by any amount of sadistic violence. Hence the defenders of the power are heroes who turn into martyrs when killed.
God bless America!
It is sad to see an AMERICAN SOLDIER so tragically and senselessly murdered while he was innocently doing his job IN IRAQ.
Olmsted said: "The sooner the Iraqi government doesn't need U.S. support to provide security for its people, the sooner we will probably be asked to leave."
Just think about that statement for a minute before posting maudlin condolences....
my greatest heartfelt sympathies go out to all iraqis who have to deal with our invasion and occupation and then know we are far more saddened when one of our own dies than for any one single iraqi out of the million or so now dead and gone forever. i wonder how many of their names we know. and post about and revere. after all, they never asked for this war. they never signed up for war. we remain the invaders and occupiers.
sorry, but i read his letter and he uses his own "last word" to talk politics, so i feel no need to refrain from responding. though i would never "use" it in the sense he means. i wont argue poeple using his name or his death, nor post on it. but i'm not just going to read something i disagree with and not respond. this is America, after all, right? :) and at least this man met death head on and by choice, hell—he even wrote a goodbye letter! he was prepared to both kill and die...in someone else's yard.
i just can't help feeling much more for those women and children and men yanked from sleep in the middle of the night by troops, or the ones who die at wedding parties. they didnt have time to plan. they wrote no letters. they just DIE. and we use their deaths every single day for politics. what makes a US soldier exempt? feh.
Dubya, we will lay it all at your feet. Enjoy the the temporary feeling of having escaped yet one more pile of wreckage you've wrought in your miserable life. for now.
i enlisted at 17 , was ready to fight in korea , and got my wish, fought two yrs off and on there , and i wrote a last letter home too, left it with my ships postal clerk just incase , the letter said mom dad im sorry for every time i caused you heartaches , dad you were right when you said war was not the great adventure that i watched in the movies its hard its dirty its lonely , take care of yourselves and take care of my dog , love to all of you! not so eligant a letter but the best a 17 yr old kid could muster up, my dad fought in ww1 , he begged me to not join up , i called him a communist ,only i know after korea he wasnt he just was afraid his kid wouldnt come back, he told me about how they shot down the veterans in washington dc at the veterans bonus march and how the government treated veterans after thier wars , i learned the hard way they dont give a shit about you after you do thier dirty work for them , right now the va took away my medicine rights at 73 they left me out to die without them, fuck this government they are screwing the veterans and expect us to take it!!!!!!!people mostly only care about vets on certain days then they hold parades ,salute your service then the rest of the year they dont even know your alive, this war ,excuse me occupation is a farce !!!!!!! and any thinking person can see whats going on !!! i get tired of this shit i hear about were fighting for our country , to protect its citizens , fighting terrosim , over there instead of here , its pure bull shit!!!!!!every man or woman thats dieing in korea , er vietnam , sorry iraq and afganistan are dieing for oil, nothing more nothing less , sorry forgot the war industry , profit is the rallying cry of our country, no remember pearl harbor , no remember the main or remember tonkin gulf, every day this war goes on the names on the war memmorial they will some day build in dc grows , and to thoes that say we cant leave because of the iraqy casualtys after we do i say fuck you, let them settle thier disputes on there own, bring the guys home and arrest ,try and convict the rat bastards bush and cheny rice wolfowitz rumsfeldt and all the rest of the war for profet pricks , prisons to good for them !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you sure President Shit For Brains didnt have him "Tillmanned" ?
Right on, Tyree!
Another fallen Brother. Another white grave stone marker. More blood and shame on america. How sad.
And this man is lost, and what was gained?
I salute Major Olmsted and I celebrate his good humor, his steadfast resolve and his true service in light of a complex situation. America can ask no more of her sons and daughters than what Major Olmsted has given in his death. However, in his case, he has given us even more, in that he has written ahead to assure us that he was conscious of his sacrifice, dedicated in his principles and a true patriot. I celebrate his life by now standing in my room, by the light of just my computer, and as a veteran of war I salute him, and all of the other men and women who so amazingly serve our country.
As the major has said, he serves by the power of the constitution he is sworn to defend, irregardless of the decisions of our leaders. Most cannot understand why anyone would make a sacrifice on such a principle, but when it counts, all of the other mistakes make it work. We cannot just pick and choose to serve.
Sacrifice is the anvil upon which service rings.
Tyree: I too am a Korean War vet. Your letter was moving. The
blasted text made an old man cry. That action wounded my body
but not my mind. It made me political & a Liberal so it wasn't all
a lost time in a kid's life. Thank you for the reminder of bad old days.
Now the important line. Andy Olmsted may you find the peace
denied you. My condolences to your family &
friends. You & many of your comrades left this world with too
much time to spare. Rest In Peace young man.
Actually @ 61:
..nice try, troll.
Tyree,
did the VA pass you off to Medicare???
I got at least 20 years of service connected "Maladies" that tricare is covering, I haven't crossed the + 62 year mark...
anyway, I'd be interested in knowing if you were able to get a veterans advocate to work on an appeal. Its so easy for somebody to say no and hope you will accept it, till you kick their ass with the facts..
I didn't have the privilege to serve with Olmsted, but I did serve with those like him.
If I die in a combat zone , I can only hope I can have as an endearing epitaph to leave behind, but that requires wordsmithing skills I don't have, so I'll have to settle for the 2nd hand war stories told around the bar.
duncanidho @ 74:
in the past year the veterans addministration changed things , they cut down on your doctors appointments from twice a year to once a year, then after i went to the clinic for my next appointment to renew my madicine appointment i asked the male receptioness when i had to get my next appointment with the vas doc, he looked at my card then checked his computer and informed me id hear from them after the first of the year, this guy knew they were going to shitcan me after yrs of helping me, with my last medicine running out they sent me a letter i was no longer eligble for copay medicine, the information was hard for me to understand as it was mostly gobble gook to me, after i finally decifered what they were saying is what with my small increase in social security and my wifes and our small penshions we were a few hundread dollars in the above poverty line , since bush put that female snake of his incharge of the va they have been whittleing us down guess its expensive buying new plastic arms and leggs for the new victims of bush chenys agresshion, old wars dont get shit for veterans, as for passing me on to medicare they mentioned nothing to me, but im looking into it, as for fighting the va screw them ! they can shove thier slogan best care anywhere up thier ass, i never begged for anything aint going to start now, ill get by , just wont have much left over after i pay for high gas growing prices for food higher taxes on my house ect! but i dont expect to get much older so it is what it is! if i had my life to live over id never have put on the uniform and id of had my teen yrs to grow up with like thoes that didnt go!!!!!!!!! they dont call KOREA THE FORGOTTON WAR for nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Just think about that statement for a minute before posting maudlin condolences…"
Sir/Madam, maudlin condolences are exactly what's called for here.....His words touched and saddened so many........
Olmsted said: “The sooner the Iraqi government doesn’t need U.S. support to provide security for its people, the sooner we will probably be asked to leave.”
As for me, I could give a rats ass what the Iraqi government needs. I want our men and women home NOW. However, with the construction of the largest embassy in the world in Baghdad, I can see that this won't happen in my life time.
andrew @ 73:
..nice try, troll.
Yeah, people who oppose imperial wars are just a buncha trolls! Damn, you totally pwned him, d00d!
Shame to lose a good guy and a sci-fi fan even if Babylon 5 wasnt my thing. Not much I can say or do about it unfortunately. Add that to the pile.
I don't know much about politics and I don't agree with the war but this man was doing his job and no one should have to die like this. Very very sad. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
I read C&L daily but this is my first post here and I may get flamed for it. For a bunch of people who are mourning someone, you would think that you would take the time to honor that persons self published dying request, which was that his death, photo etc, not be used either way as a political tool. He expressly asked that that be avoided so please don't come here saying your regrets and in the same post play the political blame game using his death as a basis for it.
Tyree isnt the only one that has been craped on.
Almost every old man or women I talk to says about the same thing.
It not just the vets. Its all the old. A lifetime of busting your ass
trying to make this country great and the second they have no more
use for you. Its the big F.U.
Ian M. @ 48:
I'm sorry to hear that, it wasn't long ago I spent a few years at Carson myself. He sounded like the kind of Commander anyone would feel privileged to have served under.
Albatross @ 70:
Nothing.
A major and a capt. killed? How is this happening when security is improving in Iraq, according to Bush? Both of these soldiers were 1ID. I didn't know them, but I would have liked to.
Our army, and country, will greatly miss their expertise, virtual and otherwise.
Aaran @ 84:
How is this happening? Here is one way
Actually @ 62:
You sir are a fucking idiot. How old are you ten? You have know idea what the hell you are talking about. All this young MAN wanted to do was serve his country. What the hell have you done beside run your mouth with a bunch of talking points? What a TROLL. You sir are no differant then those wackjobs who picket dead soldier
I got so mad I hit the wrong button before I was done. Agh.............................................................
To his family I say you have my deepest condolences.
To his parents thank you for your gift to us, for his life was a gift to all of us and his sacrifice is not his alone but that of those who loved him.
For that I thank you.
[deleted--please consult the commenting policy. Posts made with the intent to insult or incite a flame war will be deleted. If you have a point, make it civilly.]
As Olmsted said in an earlier blogpost:
"John Kerry once asked how you can ask someone to be the last man to die for a mistake."
Unfortunately, Andrew Olmsted won't be the last good soldier to die for this mistake. Not by a long shot. Political expediency be damned! A Congress that respects our troops and their deaths would have stopped this mistake years ago, may not even have begun it in the first place.
Out of Iraq - NOW. Immediate withdrawal- and if Iraq falls into more chaos, so be it. The deaths belong on the heads of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and every neocon sycophant that profitted off this immoral invasion. It's time for an American presence in Iraq to end. To those of you in Congress, if you don't want more deaths to be on YOUR heads- you will do everything in your power to stop the Republican war profiteering machine.
And I sincerely believe that every one of you in Congress who would continue this "war" at this time, knowing what we all know now- deserves to be imprisoned for the rest of your life as a war criminal and a traitor to our military and our country by squandering them so needlessly.
...
And just so you know, "Ming" we know exactly what kind of "American" you are- the kind that doesn't give a shit how many Andrew Olmsteds have to die so you won't have to interrupt your sheltered little life, cavorting about and insulting dead soldiers.
MingTheMerciless @ 93:
So you know this clown? You two must go to the same school. Isn't christmas vacation over yet for you ten year olds?
MingTheMerciless @ 95:
So which branch of the service are you in? How many tours in Irag have you done? To come on here and run your bullshit rightwing talking points when this thread is about another brother who has lost his life in a wothless war and for what? I have alot of brothers that I served with (2nd of the 27th charley company 25th infantry div. 67-68) who are also white grave stone markers now for another worthless war. [deleted--don't feed the troll please]
Mingthewothless, I didn't think you where active duty or a vet. I am still waiting for a answer or you could just be a MAN and say, Iam sorry.
[deleted--no, the site team is asking you to follow the commenting policy. Posts made with the intent to insult or incite a flame war do not add to the discussion and will be deleted. Make a civil post from your point of view that encourages discussion and it will be left alone. You can follow rules, can't you?]
RIP Major Olmsted.
I'm sorry we didn't get you home in time.