2008’s First American Casualty in Iraq is a Blogger
By Curt on Jan 6, 2008 in Andrew Olmsted, Iraq, United States
Only the dead have seen the end of war. - Plato
U.S. Army Major, and blogger, Andrew Olmsted was the first casualty of the year in Iraq. According to Rocky Mountain News (via KCHBlog) the 38-year-old from Colorado was killed by small arms fire.
Last spring, his commanders asked him to tone down his blog, Andrew Olmsted.com. So, he turned to writing more focused pieces in blog form for the Rocky Mountain News.
His last post, one he wrote to be published in the event of his death and that was published on his own blog, is…something.
What I don’t want this to be is a chance for me, or anyone else, to be maudlin. I’m dead. That sucks, at least for me and my family and friends. But all the tears in the world aren’t going to bring me back, so I would prefer that people remember the good things about me rather than mourning my loss. (If it turns out a specific number of tears will, in fact, bring me back to life, then by all means, break out the onions.) . . . I’m dead, but if you’re reading this, you’re not, so take a moment to enjoy that happy fact.
Believe it or not, one of the things I will miss most is not being able to blog any longer. The ability to put my thoughts on (virtual) paper and put them where people can read and respond to them has been marvelous, even if most people who have read my writings haven’t agreed with them. If there is any hope for the long term success of democracy, it will be if people agree to listen to and try to understand their political opponents rather than simply seeking to crush them.
I do ask (not that I’m in a position to enforce this) that no one try to use my death to further their political purposes. I went to Iraq and did what I did for my reasons, not yours. My life isn’t a chit to be used to bludgeon people to silence on either side.
Mrs C Begley (Carolyn) | Jan 7, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for Letting me post my comment.
This is what i think of Andrew Olmstead too bad he is gone he sure would have made a good leader,for our country,i personally would have voted for him as our next commander in chief of the United States of America, i truly beleive he spoke from the heart.
To his family i say this especially his wife
even though he didnt live long enough beleive me when i say he left his mark,i would have been proud to know him,as long as you keep him in your heartand the life you had with him he will never be dead he will always be alive in your heart be thankful for thatand your children they are apart of him too as well as you God Bless you and yours
also remember this he is in Gods hands as you will be and some day you shall meet him
Respectfully
Mrs Carolyn Begley
Rebecca Phares | Jan 9, 2008 | Reply
Words will never express the sorrow of this loss. We can only hope and pray that soon our people will return home. My prayers go out to Army Major Andrew Olmstead’s wife,children and family. Prayers of strength to endure the days and nights that will follow.
Rebecca Phares and family
Gary Farber | Jan 10, 2008 | Reply
Olmsted. Not “Olmstead.”
Curt | Jan 10, 2008 | Reply
Quite right. Thanks for the correction. I’ve made the change.