We lost one of our own (Colockumelk)

[jstone]

 

[trippledigitss]

Heartfelt commiserations to all of his family & friends, very sorry to hear of their loss. And the utmost gratitude for him and all others who serve the United States of America! 

[Austrian Hunter]

Thank you, franks tire, in selah for your support

 

[JM]

An email I just got at work. Hearts out to you and your family Karl

SUBJECT:               Flying the U.S. flag at half-staff

Governor Jay Inslee has directed that the flags at all Washington State agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Friday, May 3, 2013, in recognition of the annual Medal of Honor and Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony.

Flags should remain at half-staff on Saturday, May 4, 2013, in memory of U.S. Army Captain Aaron R. Blanchard, 32, of Selah, who died on April 23 in Afghanistan of injuries sustained from indirect fire.

Flags should remain at half-staff until sunset/close of business on Saturday, May 4, or first thing Monday morning, May 6.

[jackelope]

An email I just got at work. Hearts out to you and your family Karl

SUBJECT:               Flying the U.S. flag at half-staff

Governor Jay Inslee has directed that the flags at all Washington State agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Friday, May 3, 2013, in recognition of the annual Medal of Honor and Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony.

Flags should remain at half-staff on Saturday, May 4, 2013, in memory of U.S. Army Captain Aaron R. Blanchard, 32, of Selah, who died on April 23 in Afghanistan of injuries sustained from indirect fire.

Flags should remain at half-staff until sunset/close of business on Saturday, May 4, or first thing Monday morning, May 6.

 

[Boss .300 winmag]

An email I just got at work. Hearts out to you and your family Karl

SUBJECT:               Flying the U.S. flag at half-staff

Governor Jay Inslee has directed that the flags at all Washington State agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Friday, May 3, 2013, in recognition of the annual Medal of Honor and Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony.

Flags should remain at half-staff on Saturday, May 4, 2013, in memory of U.S. Army Captain Aaron R. Blanchard, 32, of Selah, who died on April 23 in Afghanistan of injuries sustained from indirect fire.

Flags should remain at half-staff until sunset/close of business on Saturday, May 4, or first thing Monday morning, May 6.

 

Thanks JM, will do! 

[Mark Brenckle]

I know we dont have details yet, but I was wondering how many members on here will be wearing a uniform to Aaron's funeral?  I am thinking of breaking out my Blues , I retired over a year ago!  Hope they fit!

RT, I will be in my Dress Blues. There's nothing that requires it, but being USN-retired, I'd feel out of place in anything else.

[BNAElkhntr]

An email I just got at work. Hearts out to you and your family Karl

SUBJECT:               Flying the U.S. flag at half-staff

Governor Jay Inslee has directed that the flags at all Washington State agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Friday, May 3, 2013, in recognition of the annual Medal of Honor and Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony.

Flags should remain at half-staff on Saturday, May 4, 2013, in memory of U.S. Army Captain Aaron R. Blanchard, 32, of Selah, who died on April 23 in Afghanistan of injuries sustained from indirect fire.

Flags should remain at half-staff until sunset/close of business on Saturday, May 4, or first thing Monday morning, May 6.

 

Roger That

[sweetfreedomgirl]

RIP Aaron Blanchard. Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

[quadrafire]

Been offline for a few weeks and am sorry to link on this morning and read of this news. I have read all the posts and am quite inspired about the humanity (of the HuntWa community).  All the heartfelt well wishes and thoughts/prayers for the family and other service members are truly emotionally moving.

My sincere Condolences to Colokums family and friends as well has his brothers/sisters in arms.

 

[Dayton Elk]

Aaron, thank you so much for your service, you gave "all" you had to help serve your country and I am forever grateful!  My prayers go out to you, your family and other service men and women. God bless.

[Bowman82]

There are no words that can truly honor this fallen brother nor express the profound gratitude that is owed him. It is with the utmost respect and heaviness of heart that I say, "thank you" for your service and for your sacrifice. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and may each of us hold our freedoms a little dearer than we ever have.

[Savage3006]

RIP Brother...thank you for your service to our country and God Speed on your next journey. Let's bring our troops home from that sandbox and turn it into glass.

[MikeWalking]

Been thinking about this a lot. I get kinda numb when I do.  It's so easy, too easy to let your mind get caught up with the daily grind, the bosses BS, the A-hats I deal with all night..


This country needs to pay more attention to the fighting and dieing still going on.  I didn't have many exchanges here with him but I feel the need to take a second look at my daily life and be more grateful for everything.

[M_ray]

BLRman I'm sorry I am just getting around to pass on my condolences. It's not that I have not wanted to it's just I have had a hard time getting through every reading without the feeling of tremendous guilt about how great of a life I have because of men like Aaron.

Most of my family was military my Father and his brother were in WWII, my other uncle entered WWII through Omaha another uncle in the Korean war and several cousins have served and one still does. I probably would have served as well but Pro soccer changed that, but it doesn't mean that I don't understand the sacrifice of the men who serve.

I can't say anything to you that hasn't already been said nor say anything that will make you feel any better but I can make sure my children understand what it means to show the Flag and the men that serve under it proper respect.

Blr I can't make it tomorrow so all the best on what will most likely be the hardest day of your life, I will be thinking of you.


Thank You Aaron for the freedom I have
Thank you to all Veterans for the luxury's I enjoy

Mark