Open Letter to DU, Friends of Alarcojon

[smoogatz]

Dear DU,

DUers, sometimes you do good and you don't even know it. Back on 9/26, when I posted the news of Alarcojon's passing, you all responded with a truly remarkable outpouring of emotion: 373 heartfelt condolence wishes, 127 votes for the greatest page.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2224744

I had the honor of reading some of your responses this afternoon at Alarcojon's memorial service, at the request of Mrs. Alarcojon. She was deeply moved by your response, and--I hope I'm saying this right--comforted, I think, knowing that her husband had touched so many of us here with his passion, humor, intelligence and big-hearted humanity. Many in attendance approached me after the service and said that they, too, had been touched by DU's generous and heartfelt response. You done good, DU. I thank you.

Sincerely,

smoogatz

[NMDemDist2]

1. thanks for letting us know smoogatz. K&N n/t

[Straight Shooter]

2. That was very kind of you, smoogatz.

Many people pass through this earthly plane and never know such friendship. Alarcojon was blessed to have you in his life, and to remember him forever now that he is gone from us.

[tularetom]

3. You are a true friend smoogatz

I hope in whatever time remains for me I can do something as nice for someone as you have done for the Alarcojon family.:yourock:

[enigmatic]

4. thank you, my friend

I'm heartened that Mrs. Alarcojon has found comfort at how much Alarcojon was loved here at DU, and I hope she knows that we'll never forget him or the goodness of his soul.

[swag]

5. That's wonderful.

Thank you.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Thx, hon *hugs*

[babylonsister]

7. Thank you and DUers for being 'you'. I'm glad

some comfort was found and felt. :hug: :grouphug:

[Bunny]

8. Thanks, smoogatz.

That was a nice thing you did. :hug:

[smoogatz]

13. It's not about me--you guys wrote the 373 responses.

Which, I have to tell you, print out to a manuscript about a half-inch thick.

On edit: I should tell you-all, too, that the service today was attended by many members of Alarcojon's family, and a large number of friends, colleagues and students. The chair of his department was also in attendance, as was the Dean of the College. It was an extraordinarily moving service.

[Olney Blue]

9. I'm honored to give the fifth vote for greatest page.

[proud patriot]

10. Thanks for being there smoogatz

It's really amazing how close we are here , even if miles
separate . I feel honored to be apart of this community .

Thanks for sharing this :hug:

[DeepModem Mom]

11. I'm very gratified if our response helped. Blessings on Mrs. Alarcojon.

[bridgit]

12. all our best to Mrs. Alarcojon & to Alarcojon's continued remembrance...

i'm not sure i posted in the thread you have here, but i did from time to time with Alarcojon, and he remains to my mind a very special DU'er

[madrchsod]

14. well thanks from all of us! that`s what we are here for....

we need this up on the main page for at least a week....


i guess we are`t all that bad after all....

[bigwillq]

15. Thanks for sharing this.

Thanks for being such a good friend to Alarcojon.
:hug:

[roguevalley]

16. I am very glad. Thank you for telling us. I hope they were comforted.

It's like a rock tossed into a pond, a life. Alarcojon touched a lot of people.

[bonito]

17. You are something special smoogatz

I see so many good people here, and that includes everybody, gives me hope for our little planet.

[bear425]

18. k/r n/t

[SeattleGirl]

19. What a very kind thing for you to do, smoogatz.

I'm glad that Mrs. Alarcojon found some comfort in the words of Alarcojon's DU family.

[rasputin1952]

20. Thank you for taking the spirit of DU with you...

The community that is DU felt 2 great losses.

I am happy that you could have brought some comfort from this site with you to help assauge the grief.

[JitterbugPerfume]

21. thanks for posting this

I wish peace and love for Mrs Alarcojon , and for you.

[mmonk]

22. Thanks.

You're so kind.

[Binka]

23. We Loved Him

A lot.

[dweller]

24. he was one of the many

as once again the many is as one.

take this to heart that we are our brother's and sister's keeper.

peace all
dp

[ikojo]

25. Thanks smoogatz....it's interesting to note that even

though many of us have never met in the "real" world we touch one another's lives online.

[Call Me Wesley]

26. Thank you, smoogatz

for sharing this with us. He's still missed. Peace and comfort to his family.

[Bossy Monkey]

27. Best to his wife, family and friends. K&R n/t

[nam78_two]

28. Wish the family the best, k&r/nt