We lost one of our own (Colockumelk)

[10thmountainarcher]

Rip brother. I appreciate all you've done for our country. As a grunt, ireally appreciate the work you've done to save our butts.  I can't believe this..

[blackveltbowhunter]

Colock.....You died so I may FREELY live, words can never express my gratitude or my thanks. A humble Thank You is the best I can give. Thoughts and prayers towards your family.

[whacker1]

BLRman - thank you for sharing with us the loss of your dear departed brother.  I too like others never met him in person, but had many conversations on various subjects with him over the last several years.

He will be truly missed and I pray for your family at this difficult time in your lives.

I hope to be able to help in some small way

R.I.P.

[The Weazle]

BLRman, I am sorry for you and your families loss.  I am over here right now, and it never gets easier.  I will dedicate my morning run to him tomorrow morning!  Again, my deepest condolences...

[sven]

BlRman, My heart goes out to you and your family............will miss his comments and knowledge, Thank you Colockumelk for all you did for the Country and the HW family R.I.P .......

[Coastal_native]

I've been following this since yesterday.  I'm heartbroken. 

I did not need to meet Aaron in person to know that if more people lived life with as much passion as he did, we'd all be better off. 

He has been my primary source of information as I've taken up bow hunting.  He even picked out my bow for me and showed me where to buy it.  I'll forever be reminded of his passion and his sacrifice every time I draw it back.  I was really looking forward to his congratulations after posting my first successful bow hunt. 

I thought about removing the phrase under my screen name, but I want to keep it in memory of the laughs we shared.

Thank you Aaron for your sacrifices.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Wenatcheejay]

I knew Aaron through this site and He will be missed. It is hard to put to words the emotions that are felt right now.

[ELKBURGER]

I read this saddening news this morning and just finished reading the whole thread. There has been so many peoples lives touched by him. I pray for his family and friends, that they find peace in all thier memories with him.
Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice Capt. Blanchard.

[elkaholic123]

http://www.mortuary.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123345863

[Machias]

Dang, not enough time for me to get up there and stand on a flag line or be part of an escort. 

[Elkpiss]

Unbelieveable... I was in Law N Justice at Central when Aaron went there as well... Just un flippin believeable..  I didnt know him that well but who doesnt know him from this site... just chokes me up reading this and reading other peoples posts!... Ill drink a beer for you tonight brother!.. May the elk gods treat you well on the otherside!.. RIP Aaron!...  Prayers to his family and wife and kids!..

[6x6in6]

I will be up in the Colockum over Memorial day weekend. I would like to plant a tree, place a flag and set a stone in his honor out in the middle of the plateau where the Elk Herd hangs out & I sit. He was supposed to come up to my camp one of these days, I thank you ColockumElk (Aaron) for your service and our ultimate sacrifice for all of us.
I will talk to you up in the fields my friend....

I too will be up there on the Mem weekend.  Most likely in upper Coleman, near the tamarack forest area.
It would be an honor to saddle up and ride over to participate if you would allow so. 

[turkeydancer]

I am so thankful that Aaron (and men like him) lived, but am truly saddened by his passing and your families and friends loss.  My heart truly goes out to you BLRman, and to your family!  May God bless you, comfort you and give you and yours the strength to carry on. 

My friends would tell you that I'm never at a loss for words, but I am now ... and my face is totally wet ...  keep his memory alive with his children ... may they never want ... lol !

[Ripper]

Peace be with you my brother, you are a true hero.

[JackOfAllTrades]

I am at a loss for words...
 
I never met Aaron, but through his written musings here I felt that this was a guy I could sit down at a camp fire and talk all night with... You could just tell, that he loved the outdoors, that he loved to fly, that he was dedicated to serving his country. The Hunt-Wa extended family has lost a friend.  RIP Aaron. May God watch over and protect your family.
 
-Steve