We lost one of our own (Colockumelk)

[mkcj]

What a great picture and memory

[Wanttohuntmore]

Not knowing what to say, other than my prayers are with you BLRman and Aaron's whole family.  Aaron's posts, and straight forwardness, was one of the best things I looked forward to on this site.   Truly the kind of person to be proud of.  He will be truly missed, not just here, but in society, you could tell good things would come from him.  We could all use some of Aaron's strength and motivation in our hearts.  God bless Aaron and those like him.

[Machias]

One of the sayings we always hear in the Military is it's a small world.  I have a good friend out here in Virginia that I have known for 20 years.  I posted on my face book page for my family and friends to pray for Aaron's family.  Well Tony Boyce, my friend, his daughter's best friend is friends with the Hess' family.  Small world.

[boneaddict]

Same thing happened to me Fred.  Not quite as worldly as I am local, but I posted a tribute to him on facebook and a friend of mine, who has a daughter on my daughters soccerteam, grew up with Aaron.   Never knew....

[Machias]

I guess Tony's daughters friend is dating LT Hess' brother.

[fishngamereaper]

Theres a nice artilce on KOMO today that has some pics...
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Army-pilot-from-Washington-killed-in-Afghanistan-204849301.html

[Rooster1981]

I didn't know Aaron, I only knew of him from this site. We both shared a great passion for the colockum elk herd, and I really enjoyed his writtings on the colockum elk herd subject. I often thought about him when I was hunting in Parke Creek wondering if he was up there chasing the same elk I was. His memory will live on with the land and animals he was so passionate to protect.
  R.I.P. Colockumelk

[bullcanyon]

Never met Aaron, but felt like I knew him through his posts.  I enjoyed reading what he had to say.  This is giving me a bit of a gut check.  My thoughts are with his family. I feel for them.

[Raul Duke]

Rest in Peace Aaron. I'm still at a loss for words. I too enjoyed your post and am still in a bit of shock.

-R.D.

[h20hunter]

He is home.

[Austrian Hunter]

He is home.

 

[IBspoiled]

It's been a very sad week.  Thank you Colockumelk (Aaron) for your service to our country and for giving your all for our freedoms.  May God fill your wife, children and family members with peace during this sad time. 

[Dave Workman]

REQUIEM

by: Robert Louis Stevenson

UNDER the wide and starry sky,
Dig the grave and let me lie.
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you grave for me:
Here he lies where he longed to be;
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.

[jackelope]

He is home.

 

[Gringo31]

I've read this through and while I have the same feelings, thoughts and prayers as the rest of you... I think there is something missing.  I never had the honor to shake this mans hand and was only blessed to know him from this site.  I read the comments and see the words used to describe Aaron.  Words like, Protector, Great, Respected, Hero.  That he was living his dream, stood tall, encouraged and helped others, passionate, dedicated, the "best man I ever knew" and indeed we are thankful such men lived.

So....the point I'm trying to make is that while this is terribly tragic, it is MY opinion that if we focus only on this terrible loss......THAT is even more tragic.  What can we learn from Aaron's example to us?  I ask and urge each of you to focus on HOW he accomplished so many noble traits and HOW we can duplicate.  I ask and encourage each of you to think of these things and then examine ourselves and make the changes we need to make in ourselves, as an attempt to be as honorable as he was.  It is written in the Bible that "it is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every person; the living should take this to heart.”  I think this gut check for many of us has some value.  It is good for us and a big “Reality Check”.  This is much of the point I’m trying to make.  Life is a very precious gift.   While it is true it can always be better, it also can always be worse.  I ask that you look around at your own family and friends and appreciate what blessings they really are.  Be the person who appreciates all of the gifts we’ve been given, reach out and encourage others to keep in focus the things that really matter....

And, I pray we are given the strength to do just that.....


Indeed, I am thankful such men lived.....They become the example of who I aim to be....