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.
Filed Under: Iraq, Passings, Supporting our Troops, War Coverage
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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/p.....-1/LOCAL17
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/inde.....p;Itemid=1
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.