We lost one of our own (Colockumelk)

[Machias]

Here here!!

[Rudy]

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....

  Very, VERY, well said!

[Broken Arrow]

What terrible news. Thoughts and prayers with all those connected.

[Wazukie]

AMEN Gringo!

[Huntboy]

AMEN Gringo!

 

[bow4elk]

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....

Not sure there can be a better message in the wake of Aaron's passing.  Thanks for putting that into words.

[Austrian Hunter]

AMEN Gringo! 

[DOUBLELUNG]

I have one small story to relate.  When graduating CWU, Colockumelk mentioned in a post that he was looking for work - any work - before starting his active duty commissioned service.  I sent him a message that I had quite a bit of painting work I'd be happy to have him do for pay.  His response asked if I would be willing to have another 2Lt from his ROTC class take the job instead, because he had a scholarship and the other guy didn't - that his friend needed the work more than him.  True leadership.

I was happy to hire the other young soldier, but now I really wish he'd taken the work himself.  I would have been honored to know him personally.

[FSTaxidermy]

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....

Not sure there can be a better message in the wake of Aaron's passing.  Thanks for putting that into words.

 

[ELKBURGER]

He is home.

[Kc_Kracker]

If you didn't get to know him you truly missed out. I have been MIA until today.  Chris just told me via FB, I'm crushed  like Chris and my family, a few of us had plans to take him either hunting or fishing when he came back for time off, we personally had plans to take him and his family fishing and crabbing for some real time off and family enjoyment. G

Get our fawking troops home, we no longer have any business is that god forsaken hell hole. I was there in 1991, and again in 1999, its now 2013, its time to go Gawddanmit! 

This has rocked our house. at this point im too choked up to say anymore

[Kc_Kracker]

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....

in the dawn of such a tragedy, wow....

[Dave Workman]

‘Colockumelk’ is coming home

When he saddled up to deploy to Afghanistan, former Selah resident Aaron Blanchard, known to his many friends on the Hunting-Washington forum as “Colockumelk,” posted a note on April 11 that noted, “Well it’s my turn once again to head over to the sand box and do the job that the tax payers pay me to do.”

http://www.examiner.com/article/colockumelk-is-coming-home?cid=db_articles

[Bean Counter]

Nice write up, Dave 

[pianoman9701]

Well done, Dave.