Andrew Olmstead's Last Post

[Me.]

“Only the dead have seen the end of war."
Plato*

“Andrew Olmsted, who also posted here as G'Kar, was killed yesterday in Iraq. Andy gave me a post to publish in the event of his death; the last revisions to it were made in July.

Andy was a wonderful person: decent, honorable, generous, principled, courageous, sweet, and very funny. The world has a horrible hole in it that nothing can fill. I'm glad Andy -- generous as always -- wrote something for me to publish now, since I have no words at all. Beyond: Andy, I will miss you.

My thoughts are with his wife, his parents, and his brother and sister.

What follows is Andy's post: a bit here; the rest below the fold.
http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2008/01/a...

[lost-in-nj]

1. K & R

senseless




lost

[Me.]

3. Today, When Everyone Is In A Tizzy About Polls In NH

what we really need to know is who will end this God forsaken war, once and for all.

[laylah]

2. I read about this

yesterday, and also his blog. My thoughts and prayers got out to his wife family. What a loss. F*ckin' Bush and his phoney war

[Trajan]

4. How horrible .......

To lose a son ...... I cannot fathom the wrenching pain ....

I wish all can find solace in knowing the heart of this young man was strong and daring ....

My deepest condolences to his family, and to you, his friend ....

[Diane R]

5. My deepest condolences to his family. I buried a brother killed in Vietnam, so I know the pain.

[saracat]

6. This is brutal and beautiful as well as powerful. RIP Andrew

and bless his grieving family.

[JohnnyLib2]

7. So terribly sad.

The carnage goes on: we HAVE to make more noise.

[Droopy]

8. From Andy's last post

"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. If you think the U.S. should stay in Iraq, don't drag me into it by claiming that somehow my death demands us staying in Iraq. If you think the U.S. ought to get out tomorrow, don't cite my name as an example of someone's life who was wasted by our mission in Iraq. I have my own opinions about what we should do about Iraq, but since I'm not around to expound on them I'd prefer others not try and use me as some kind of moral capital to support a position I probably didn't support. Further, this is tough enough on my family without their having to see my picture being used in some rally or my name being cited for some political purpose. You can fight political battles without hurting my family, and I'd prefer that you did so."

[Voice for Peace]

69. His wishes also included

"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.)"

[GenDem]

9. So sorry to hear this.

My heart goes out to his family and friends.

[Midlodemocrat]

10. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord.

And may perpetual light shine upon him.



Deepest condolences to the family. This is absolutely awful.

[Wizard777]

11. This is surreal. Why is it that everyone that posted at DU that dies is named Andy?

There was a Andy a few years a ago that died from cancer and now this Andy dies in Iraq. If you post here and your name is Andy. For God sakes change your name. We don't want to lose you.

Sorry, I just couldn't help making the connection. My condolences to friends and family.

[Radio_Lady]

57. Wizard, I had the same oblique thought. Strange...

[hfojvt]

77. it reads like he posted on DU, but he didn't

he posted at the linked blog. He also seems to have had his own site
http://www.andrewolmsted.com /

He was an Army Major and also a libertarian. I read a little of his blogging just now because there is a large Olmsted branch of the Loomis family which I research extensively but I cannot determine if he is part of that branch. To do so, I would need his grandpa Olmsted's first name.

[Bossy Monkey]

12. Peace to him and condolences to you and to his family (and K&R) n/t

[H2O Man]

13. Very sad

and another unnecessary death. And for what?

Nominated.

[The Straight Story]

14. A solemn kick (nt)

[nradisic]

15. I pray for his family....

Amen. God rest his souls....

[mahina]

16. Heartbreaking.

[auntAgonist]

17. condolences to his family, this is so very sad.

And all too frequently happening.




aA
kesha

[rosesaylavee]

18. ...

RIP Andy.

[loudsue]

19. His last letter.....it feels like someone kicked me in the gut.

I'm sorry for your loss, Me. I'm sorry for all of us that the world has lost another good person to war.

War. Is. So. Fucking. Stupid.

[Me.]

22. I Didn't Know Him Personally Sue

But like you, when I read it, I had a vehement reaction. I was incalculably sad and white hot angry at the same time.

[puerco-bellies]

20. Condolences to his friends and family

K & R

[ChazII]

21. Prayers for his family. n/t

[GalleryGod]

23. VAYA CON DIOS, ANDREW.

[Me.]

24. Nice

[LaurenG]

25. My sincere condolences to his family and friends

[flvegan]

26. Condolences to his family and friends.

[FloridaJudy]

27. My sincere condolences

To Andy's family. He sounds like a wonderful human being. The world is a lesser place now.

[windbreeze]

28. RIP Andy...

so very sad...wb

[YankeyMCC]

29. My sympathies to his family and loved ones

I never heard of Andy before now but he seems like a decent sort, the kind of person who will be missed and who's dynamic absence will lessen us all.

[RainDog]

30. condolences to his loved ones

I am so sorry to hear another soldier has passed.

[WillyT]

31. K & R

[SeattleGirl]

32. .......

[krispos42]

33. #3808

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 0013-08
January 04, 2008


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DoD Identifies Army Casualties


The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died Jan. 3 in As Sadiyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their unit using small arms fire during combat operations. Both Soldiers were assigned to the Military Transition Team, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Killed were:

Maj. Andrew J. Olmsted, 37, of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Cpt. Thomas J. Casey, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M.

For further information related to this release, contact Fort Riley public affairs at [phone].

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releas...

[Me.]

39. Thanks

[XOKCowboy]

34. I read that in today's Rocky Mountain News.. How heartbreaking

And in keeping with his wishes that his death not be politicized...

Thank you Major Olmstead for your service. Rest In Peace.

[nam78_two]

35. Very sad-K&R.nt

[Oddball]

36. RIP

Bless Andrew and his family.

[Maestro]

37. My condolences to his wife, parents, brother and sister.

Truly awful. I'm so sorry.

[ClayZ]

38. RIP G'Kar

[judaspriestess]

40. my condolences

to his wife and family.

Thank you for your service.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

41. May you rest in peace Andrew

This is very, very sad and tragic -as is every life lost in this conflict. My deepest, sincerest and most profound thoughts, prayers, condolences and sympathies are extended to Andrew's family and friends and especially to his wife, parents and siblings. I'm so, so very sorry

[SammyWinstonJack]

42. K&R!

[debbierlus]

43. Omg. That is awful.

Fucking war.

[Dystopian]

44. So very sorry....

RIP Andy.


peace~

[HCE SuiGeneris]

45. May your God embrace you Andy.

Peace to you.

[BigBearJohn]

46. God bless you and keep you, Andy. This is a sad day indeed.

[MrMickeysMom]

47. Thank you for thinking to leave us this last blog...

I don't know if our comments offer comfort to his wife and family, but Andy's blog certainly makes me think deeper than I've done about the choices we have to make in this life...

Thank you for that, wherever you are, Andy.

[midnight]

48. Bless you Andy and your family.....

I was briefly reading through his last post and was struck by the fact that he was having to protect part of the population over there. I have to admit that I don't understand the function of our soldiers over there, but it sounds like police work. Let's just bring them home!

[LibraLiz1973]

49. Rest in Peace G'Kar

What a touching post

[sellitman]

50. Thank you for serving.

May you rest in peace and may your friends and family always remember.

[MilesColtrane]

51. I didn't know about Andy or his postings here at DU,

but after reading his eloquent, loving goodbye, I can only say that people like him make the world a better place for their presence.

A person like Andy doesn't die. His warmth, love, and genuine concern for others, and the state of the world that he found himself in, continue on in the hearts of his family and friends forever.

[WillowTree]

52. What a loss.

What a terrible, terrible loss.

I pray for his loved ones.

[Naturyl]

53. I didn't know this man

And from what I read, I may not have agreed with him about some things. But it's clear that he was an intelligent, caring individual of principle and courage. He did what he felt was right for the right reasons, and that is worth a great deal.

My sympathies to anyone who knew him, and I regret that I did not.

[rockybelt]

54. Another senseless loss to a senseless war. So sad.

[Radio_Lady]

60. "It isn't a war. It is an occupation."

[avrdream]

55. Wow.

Would we all do the same, given the chance.

Rest in peace, Andy.

[Swamp Rat]

56. k&r

[swimmernsecretsea]

58. Andrew, we never met

But I thank you for all that you've done, for your service to this country, for your contributions to the national dialog. I wish your family comfort and peace in their time of grief and pain.

Thank you, to the person who has fulfilled Mr. Olmsted's last wishes and brought his thoughts to us.

[Radio_Lady]

59. My thoughts and prayers are with this Andy's family and friends.

Posted to the obsidian website:

To Andy's family and friends --

I didn't know him but feel that I did, perhaps because of his first name. We had another Andy at the DU who passed on from cancer. That was tragic enough... but this is unspeakable. I am a mother and grandmother. My heart goes out to all of you on this tragedy. I feel so sad for you and the other families that have to bear this pain. I will light a candle for you, Andy, tomorrow morning, at a service I attend. Rest in peace.

Radio Lady Ellen, Portland, Oregon

Posted by: Radio_Lady from the Democratic Underground | January 06, 2008 at 02:50 AM

PS. It is not a war anymore. It is an occupation.

[frog92969]

61. When will someone stop this insanity?!

Blood for oil, and no accountability!

[donheld]

62. I'm so sorry

This really sucks

[WilliamPitt]

63. GOD FUCKING DAMN IT.

[sazemisery]

64. Rest well and peace be there for your family and friends.

[juajen]

65. My sympathy and prayers for Andy's family.

N/T

[Breeze54]

66. Stop This Fucking War!!!! ~ Bring Them Home.... NOW!!!

This is just to infuriating and sad!

*sigh*

My heart goes out to G'Kar's (Andrew Olmstead) wife, parents, siblings, family and friends.

[flyarm]

67. My sincerest condolences to Andy's family. Words can not convey the dismay in losing another young

life.

I feel helpless to stop this disgrace call war.

But i will continue to try everything i can to stop it!

Rest in peace Andy..you will be eternally missed..


fly

[KoKo]

68. So sorry to hear this....thanks for alert and his post......

and hugs and condolences to his family. Another DU Angel....up there looking down...

[alfredo]

70. So sad

I woke up in just the right moment to see his name on "In Memorial" at the end of "This Week." It put me in a funk to recognize a name on that dreadful list.

[Hydra]

71. So many lost souls

I'm not familiar with his blogging, but it sounds like he tried to stand for greater concepts, such as rule of law, in a world without such. It also sounds like he was too afraid of the alternatives and "might-haves" to want to abandon the present order.

How many smart people have been subverted and convinced that the ways of "the powers that be" are somehow working?

Don't mistake me- I thought the same thing until the system chewed me up and spit me out.

Andy, you should have stayed home with Amanda.

[Blue Fire]

72. Powerful and poignant.

I never had the honor of knowing Andy, but the world is a better place for his having been here.

[jdadd]

73. .......

K&R

[ThomCat]

74. Damn...

I understand the desire for a heaven. I wish G'Kar wasn't gone. I wish so many people weren't gone.

[lisainmilo]

75. Heartfelt sympathy and love.

May God wrap his loving arms around Andy and Andys' family as the deal with this tragic loss.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

76. RIP

[lips]

78. I hope and wish for better times.

[snappyturtle]

79. So very sad. nt

[Nailzberg]

80. Solemnly K&R

[easttexaslefty]

81. Words are inadequate.

I feel so badly for his family and friends. They will remember the good times but they will also miss him terribly and mourn his loss. Here's wishing them moments of peace.

[Hoof Hearted]

82. Very freaky. I know a (different) guy named Andrew Olmstead. Our thoughts and prayers go out

to this young mans family.