Pajamas Media

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I read his last post last night and was moved to tears that a man of this character was here and I knew nothing about his posting until last night. The quality of some men in the military is outstanding and his last post is one that should be shared with the youth of this country that will surely motivate a person to think.

Everybody dies. It’s what you die for that matters.

Hats off to those who put it all on the line in their commitment to make the world a better place.

Rest in Peace, Major Olmsted.

My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this brave, unselfish man. Know this, that through your loss, you have paid the highest price possible to ensure the freedoms enjoyed by your fellow citizens. Be comforted by the knowledge that the Major is among friends. Semper Fi.

May God bless this brave man. Some may wish to believe that the ACLU stands between us and Armageddon. On the contrary, our first line of defense is the courageous and highly disciplined members of our military who are experts in violently destroying our enemies. Those who enjoy singing Kumbaya do so primarily because of the sacrifices of soldiers like Major Andrew Olmsted.

Excerpt from Major Olmsteds’ final post(bolds are mine):

As passionate as I am about personal freedom, I don’t buy the claims of anarchists that humanity would be just fine without any government at all. There are too many people in the world who believe that they know best how people should live their lives, and many of them are more than willing to use force to impose those beliefs on others.(like sadaam h.?) A world without government simply wouldn’t last very long; as soon as it was established, strongmen would immediately spring up to establish their fiefdoms.(like sadaam h.?) So there is a need for government to protect the people’s rights.(from monsters like zarqawi?) And one of the fundamental tools to do that is an army that can prevent outside agencies(like al kkkeda?) from imposing their rules on a society. A lot of people will protest that argument by noting that the people we are fighting in Iraq are unlikely to threaten the rights of the average American.(like zarqawis’ al kkkeda in Iraq?) That’s certainly true; while our enemies would certainly like to wreak great levels of havoc on our society, the fact is they’re not likely to succeed.(like the first WTC bombing?,like September 11th 2001?,like the Fort Dix 6?,the Chicago 7?,the Florida 9?,the plot to blow-up JFK?,the murdered jews in SF?,or the 30 some odd percent of “American” muslims who think murder-bombers are justified?) But that doesn’t mean there isn’t still a need for an army (setting aside debates regarding whether ours is the right size at the moment). Americans are fortunate that we don’t have to worry too much about people coming to try and overthrow us,(thanks to you and yours,Major) but part of the reason we don’t have to worry about that is because we have an army that is stopping anyone who would try.

end excerpt from Major Olmsteds’ post

Sorry. Just don’t know how one can volunteer AFTER the fact, and still not have stronger feelings about the righteousness of the mission being volunteered for(and ultimately die for), and the circumstances thereof.

(Thomas Moore (1779-1852))

Air “the Moreen” Ancient Irish Air

The minstrel boy to the war is gone,

In the ranks of death you’ll find him;

His father’s sword he hath girded on,

And his wild harp slung behind him;

“Land of Song!” cried the warrior bard,

(Should) “Tho’ all the world betrays thee,

One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,

One faithful harp shall praise thee!”

The Minstrel fell! But the foeman’s steel

Could not bring that proud soul under;

The harp he lov’d ne’er spoke again,

For he tore its chords asunder;

And said “No chains shall sully thee,

Thou soul of love and brav’ry!

Thy songs were made for the pure and free

They shall never sound in slavery!

Some words from Maggie Pierce at Indian Neck 1985