(((PIC))) Scott Olsen

[blogslut]

[Sportsguy]

1. Proud To Give This The 5th Rec

[undeterred]

8. I hear he's from Onalaska Wisconsin.

[Sportsguy]

9. He Is Indeed

I am hoping and praying for this young hero, and I hope to greet him when he comes back home.

[elocs]

36. Onalaska is about 2 miles from where I live in La Crosse, WI.

He went to high school there and his family still lives in this area.

Here is the story in the local paper, the La Crosse Tribune: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/article_394ac2c4-...

"I think now the people involved with Occupy Wall Street are saying, ‘Here is our poster child,'" said George Nygaard, Olsen's uncle who lives in Chaseburg. "Here's somebody who is a symbol of attacking the wrong people."

Olsen graduated from Onalaska High School in 2005 and joined the Marines. He served two tours in Iraq and earned seven medals, including the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He was discharged in November 2009 after reaching the rank of lance corporal.

Olsen grew closer to his uncle and became involved with Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace.

Together they marched in Madison against Gov. Scott Walker's move to end collective bargaining for public employees.

[undeterred]

37. They had a clip of one of his high school teachers

on tv here in Madison saying how proud they all were of him.

Didn't know he was part of Veterans for Peace.

[phasma ex machina]

2. k&r

[Fire Walk With Me]

3. I hope he's just blown away by all the love when he gets out of the hospital!

[deutsey]

4. k&r

[kestrel91316]

5. I love his hair, lol. (swoon)

Love his dedication to the cause, too, BTW.

[TBF]

11. I was thinking the same thing .. :) nt

[gateley]

23. Me, too! :-) nt

[roguevalley]

6. what a good looking boy. Mercy. I really, really love this kid.

[blogslut]

7. I came across

...images of him just after he was hit in Oakland. They were heartbreaking and haunting. I debated myself all day yesterday as to whether or not I should post them here. When I went looking for images today, the one in my OP came up and I was more than happy to post it on DU.

I want to see this young man stand and smile and speak and persevere.

[roguevalley]

19. you and me both, honey

[qanda]

10. I think the movement just found its leader

God bless him and may he be 100% whole.

[cui bono]

12. Why do you say that? Why would he be the movement's leader?

He may become the "Rosa Parks" type of icon, but what has there been to suggest he would make a good leader of the movement?

I totally feel for him, not trying to detract from that, just discussing your comment.

[qanda]

14. Although I didn't say it, that's what I meant

He could easily be the face of the movement. It would be kind of goofy to appoint him as the "leader" but his story inspires others to the cause.

[cui bono]

16. Right. n/t

[justiceischeap]

13. Folks really have a hard time with this leaderless thing, don't they?

As the other poster stated, he may become a movement icon but the point of this movement is that it's leaderless. That's the beauty of it.

[qanda]

15. Read my reply above

It's something because I was going to try to explain my statement when I wrote it because I didn't want anyone to take it the wrong way... I guess I should have explained.

[Marrah_G]

17. They really do

It's a human trait to look for a leader, one that we hopefully will evolve from eventually. I understand the politician, corporations and 1%s desire for a leader though, they want a target they can tear down.

[RainbowSuperfund]

20. This movement already has leaders:.....

This movement already has leaders:.....Gandhi, Martin Luther King JR., J.F.K., Bobby Kennedy, John Lennon, ....... They are dead. All killed for being leaders of this movement. We are all leaders now. No one else needs to die for being the leader. We have internalized the message. It is written in the heart. Occupy your own heart and life! you are the leader now.

[qanda]

28. Honestly guys! It's really not that serious...

[ProfessionalLeftist]

18. 24 years old. Adorable. Wise. Brave.

What a SHAME this young man has been attacked like this after serving his country. It's enough to make ya cry.

[love0bama-4ever]

21. He's awesom! reminds me of cool, long haired kids of 70s and 80s!

Yes, I did not know he looked this cool! He sure reminds me of those young fellas
back in the 70s and 80s with the nice long hair! I pray God he will overcome
all this malady as soon as possible, ....sooo cool!

[redqueen]

22. K&R

[gateley]

24. This looks like it was from a different protest -- do you know?

I'm glad he's gotten involved since his return - his bravery lives on.

I check the news a few times a day looking for updates (hopefully upgrades) on his condition, but I haven't seen anything yet.

[blogslut]

33. It was a photo provided by Reuters

Quite likely from a previous protest.

Here's a fairly recent update on Scott Olsen:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/10/occupy-oa...

...Olsen, 24, a Marine lance corporal who served two tours of duty in Iraq, suffered a skull fracture when he was struck during the Tuesday night protest by a projectile fired by police officers.

Highland Hospital spokesman Curt Olsen -- no relation -– said Scott Olsen was experiencing pressure on a lobe of his brain that controls speech, but “he is able to understand everything that is said to him” and can write. Doctors do not anticipate a need to operate and are optimistic about his recovery, Curt Olsen said.
Hospital staff can’t bring the bouquets of flowers into the intensive care unit, but are photographing them for Olsen and then donating them to other patients.

“He’s surprised by it,” the spokesman said. “He doesn’t really understand why everyone is making such a big deal of it.” Olsen “lit up” when his parents arrived at his bedside, the spokesman said. His condition was upgraded Thursday from critical to fair...

[gateley]

34. Thanks so much! So thoughtful of the staff to take pics of

the flowers. From critical to fair is quite an encouraging leap, I think. It seems he can do everything except maybe speak? And "pressure" on the lobe may recede, hopefully. Glass half full. Again, thanks so much for this update - it is so promising!

[Wait Wut]

25. Nice looking young man.

I'm looking forward to learning more about him...when he gets better.

[girl_interrupted]

26. K&R There is a must read article about Scott on MSNBC

Injured vet spent days at work, nights at protest
Olsen suffered a fractured skull in clash between police, demonstrators in Oakland

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45071048/ns/us_news

Info on his background and why he joined the cause. He is an amazing person.

[democrank]

27. K & R in solidarity

[MrMickeysMom]

29. Stay strong, Scott

I'm sorry I cannot carry on from where I am, but in my heart and words.

[MissDeeds]

30. He served his country

better than his country served him.



K&R

[ScottLand]

31. K&R

[yawnmaster]

32. Another plus. Like me, he is a lover of Jack!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14375183@N07/1465830641/in...

[Yon_Yonson]

35. Semper Fi Sgt. Olsen and speedy recovery