Post by: bearpaw on April 25, 2013, 07:39:53 AM
Capt. Aaron Blanchard Memorial
I will purchase a wreath online and have it delivered to the services. Please comment in this topic when you are sending money, please send me a pm with the amount you are sending in case I have to order the wreath on a moments notice, that way I will know how much money I have to work with, and please note on any checks or paypal payments that it's for Aaron's Memorial Wreath, that will help me account for all monies sent, the amount sent does not matter, it's the thought that counts. Any overage of funds will be added to the Joshua Cup fund and any additional contributions for Aaron's family can be added to the Joshua Cup Fund. http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,124030.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,124030.0.html)]http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,124030.0.html
Update
May 3, 2013
Aaron's brother Karl (Blrman) advised me of a good flower shop in Yakima. I talked with Trish (who does the arrangements) about the various arrangements that she could put together. I explained that we wanted a patriotic arrangement that was extra special because Aaron was a very special person who will be greatly missed. I asked for an arrangement that would be remembered as one of the nicest they have done. I sent her a message for the card and a few short messages to put on the arrangement ribbons. I am very pleased to post the photo of the arrangement from the H-W Family.
Messages on Ribbons:
“So since I don't like good byes I will say see ya'll later.” (from Aaron's last topic on H-W)
Happy Hunting colockumelk
You shall not be forgotten
Your Hunting Washington Family
Message on Card:
Aaron,
Some of us knew you personally, all of us knew you on the forum, we enjoyed and respected your intelligent and thoughtful contributions, but more than anything we thank you and your family for your sacrifice for our freedom, your greatness will be remembered. We celebrate all the positive ways that you touched our lives.
Happy Hunting,
Your Many Friends at Hunting-Washington
Capt. Aaron Blanchard (colockumelk)
So Long Hunt-WA. Its been fun. See ya next year! http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,122880.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,122880.0.html)
We lost one of our own (Colockumelk) http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,123957.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,123957.0.html)
Joshua Cup IV Tribute to Capt. Aaron Blanchard: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,124030.0.html (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,124030.0.html)
Aaron's Profile: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=2875 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=2875)
Aaron's Posts: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=2875 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=2875)
Aaron's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.blanchard.94 (https://www.facebook.com/aaron.blanchard.94)
Post by: Skillet on April 25, 2013, 07:49:01 AM
Post by: bearpaw on April 25, 2013, 07:52:11 AM
I think this is a great idea, Dale. I will send a check out tomorrow.
THANKS, Please send me a pm with the amount you are sending in case I have to order the wreath on a moments notice, that way I will know how much money I have to work with.
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on April 25, 2013, 07:52:49 AM
Just paypal'd you some funds dale. I forgot to put what its for though. 25.00 from Bob D.
Post by: Machias on April 25, 2013, 07:53:57 AM
Post by: jackelope on April 25, 2013, 08:01:53 AM
Post by: longashes on April 25, 2013, 08:05:37 AM
Post by: elkoholic on April 25, 2013, 08:05:58 AM
Grindy
Post by: remington300mag on April 25, 2013, 08:07:24 AM
Post by: 250savage on April 25, 2013, 08:16:21 AM
Post by: bearpaw on April 25, 2013, 08:17:32 AM
I have to go do some work I will check back later.
Post by: Wenatcheejay on April 25, 2013, 08:22:10 AM
Post by: huntnphool on April 25, 2013, 08:25:43 AM
Post by: muzbuster on April 25, 2013, 08:25:56 AM
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on April 25, 2013, 08:25:56 AM
donation sent via paypal.
Ren
Post by: washingtonmuley on April 25, 2013, 08:33:39 AM
$25.00 just sent via paypal.
Thanks for doing this,
Tim
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 25, 2013, 08:39:27 AM
Post by: cwuwildcat on April 25, 2013, 09:09:13 AM
God bless Aaron!
Post by: Sumpnneedskillin on April 25, 2013, 09:22:47 AM
Post by: cem3434 on April 25, 2013, 10:01:56 AM
Post by: groundhog on April 25, 2013, 10:06:19 AM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on April 25, 2013, 10:44:49 AM
-Steve
Post by: Buckmark on April 25, 2013, 11:03:23 AM
Post by: Caseyd on April 25, 2013, 11:29:43 AM
Post by: hunting4sanity on April 25, 2013, 11:31:00 AM
Post by: ellensburgpo on April 25, 2013, 12:55:47 PM
Post by: washelkhunter on April 25, 2013, 03:13:19 PM
Post by: PAW66 on April 25, 2013, 03:29:16 PM
Check will be in the mail tomarrow.
Post by: Hawk on April 25, 2013, 03:39:34 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on April 25, 2013, 03:40:50 PM
Post by: SemperFidelis97 on April 25, 2013, 04:30:45 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on April 25, 2013, 04:39:45 PM
Post by: MadHatter on April 25, 2013, 06:08:46 PM
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Post by: Eli346 on April 25, 2013, 06:21:46 PM
Post by: Bean Counter on April 25, 2013, 06:34:26 PM
Post by: 3dsheetmetal on April 25, 2013, 06:47:41 PM
Post by: SCRUBS on April 25, 2013, 08:27:02 PM
Post by: Bob33 on April 25, 2013, 08:34:00 PM
Post by: xd2005 on April 25, 2013, 08:47:06 PM
Post by: buckcanyonlodge on April 25, 2013, 09:10:05 PM
Post by: bigelk1030 on April 25, 2013, 09:19:04 PM
Post by: Curly on April 25, 2013, 09:49:23 PM
Post by: bearpaw on April 25, 2013, 11:04:49 PM
THANKS to all! :hello:
Post by: PolarBear on April 25, 2013, 11:19:22 PM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on April 25, 2013, 11:26:25 PM
Post by: zackmioli on April 25, 2013, 11:28:52 PM
Post by: K357** on April 25, 2013, 11:34:43 PM
Post by: Dan-o on April 25, 2013, 11:41:39 PM
Post by: buckcanyonlodge on April 26, 2013, 03:43:34 AM
Have been busy since this morning and just getting logged back on, what an awesome amount of support, this is amazing. It looks like we will have plenty of donations for a very nice wreath, as mentioned before, any additional money beyond the cost of the wreath will be added to the Joshua Cup Fund for Aaron's family.
THANKS to all! :hello:
If the excess monies are going to the Joshua Fund I am upping my amount. Thanks again,
Rick
Post by: rasbo on April 26, 2013, 03:54:29 AM
Post by: Machias on April 26, 2013, 04:43:12 AM
Post by: bearpaw on April 26, 2013, 06:53:06 AM
Dale, WOW! I am sitting here with my little brother reading through all these threads and we are absolutely just blown away! Its 0220 here and we are just sittin up *censored*tin about Aaron and the good times. We got to hang out with LT R.J. Hess's little brother for a while and that was helpful to share some of the same experiences. He was his only brother. All the support that has been shown from everyone on here is one of the most moving gestures that I have ever experienced. I wish that I could express how all of this outreach feels but I can't. I love you all! -karl
Karl & Family,
Aaron's thoughtful approach and spirited involvement on the forum touched many people, it's obvious he was very well liked and respected. I enjoy meeting and getting to know people, I was hoping to meet colockumelk someday, it saddens me knowing that many people who enjoyed his contributions on the forum will never get to meet him, I cannot imagine the grief this has brought to your family, but I thank Aaron and your family for his many contributions not only on the forum but to all freedom loving people of the world. We'll make every effort to keep his memory alive here on the forum, Aaron's true spirit is shown in his many writings here on the forum. We'll make every effort to maintain his username and posts so that someday when his kids may want to read some of what their dad wrote, they can find nearly 5000 posts that he so passionately wrote here on the forum.
Kindest Regards,
Dale
Aaron's Profile: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=2875 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;u=2875)
Aaron's Posts: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=2875 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=2875)
Aaron's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaron.blanchard.94 (https://www.facebook.com/aaron.blanchard.94)
Post by: rtspring on April 26, 2013, 06:58:33 AM
Post by: Sawbuck on April 26, 2013, 06:59:15 AM
Post by: Raul Duke on April 26, 2013, 08:00:38 AM
Thank You
-R.D.
Post by: BNAElkhntr on April 26, 2013, 08:04:10 AM
Thanks for Doing this Dale
Post by: sven on April 26, 2013, 08:09:05 AM
Post by: HUNT on April 26, 2013, 08:41:34 AM
HUNT
Post by: IBspoiled on April 26, 2013, 09:13:05 AM
Post by: jrebel on April 26, 2013, 03:23:43 PM
Thanks
Johnny
Post by: Wea300mag on April 26, 2013, 03:26:15 PM
How much more do you need for the wreath? If you get to much does it just roll over in the donation to the family?
Thanks
Johnny
Yes, any extra $$ from the wreath fund will go into the general "Family Fund".
Post by: Bean Counter on April 26, 2013, 10:19:43 PM
Post by: coachcw on April 26, 2013, 10:24:55 PM
Post by: Jerbear on April 26, 2013, 11:16:15 PM
Post by: Russ McDonald on April 27, 2013, 07:15:18 AM
Post by: jackelope on April 27, 2013, 01:01:58 PM
Thanks guys...the response to this has been overwhelming.
:tup:
-JB
Post by: bearpaw on May 02, 2013, 09:47:22 PM
In Memory of
Cpt. Aaron Roy Blanchard
April 2, 1981 - April 23, 2013
Obituary
Captain Aaron Roy Blanchard was killed in a rocket attack in Pul-E-Alam, Afghanistan, on April 23, 2013.
He was born in Yakima in on April 2, 1981 and grew up in Selah. He attended Lince Elementary and played Little League Baseball. He and his brothers were part of a happy flock of neighborhood children that played in the streets near Crusher Canyon under the close supervision of many loving parents. Aaron learned a love of speed on his Big Wheel, plunging down Fifth Avenue with his feet off the pedals, in order to gain maximum velocity. He decided then that when he grew up he wanted to be an elk, and, were that not possible, a pilot in the US Armed Forces.
Aaron attended Selah Middle School and Selah High School, where he was a varsity wrestler and pole vaulter. He served as a page in the Washington State Senate. He played the trumpet in the Yakima Community Band that was directed by his grandfather. The band even took a great trip to play in Europe.
Aaron was an avid hunter and loved roaming the hills and canyons and mountains of Central Washington with his brothers and beloved Labrador retrievers. He was an accomplished bow hunter and exceptionally knowledgeable about elk. His expertise and frank posts as "Colockumelk" on the "Hunting Washington Forum" earned the respect of a far-reaching network of friends. Aaron and his brothers looked forward to the annual elk hunts that brought together the Blanchard Men for a week in the woods of camping, laughing, and hunting.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly after graduation from high school in 1999. He completed basic training at Camp Pendleton in San Diego and earned certification as an Aviation Mechanic at Pensacola, FL. He made three major deployments including two combat tours in Iraq as a platoon Sergeant. Aaron's Marine career took him all over the world, across the oceans and through the skies, from Southeast Asia to Iraq.
In 2002 he met the love of his life, Becky. After discharge from the Marine Corps, Aaron and Becky were married. Together they shared a "once in a lifetime" love, filled with laughter and adventure. In 2008 they celebrated the birth of a son, Hunter, and in 2011, the birth of daughter Amalia. He was a doting father and committed husband. The love he gave to his family was his greatest achievement.
In 2005, Aaron and Becky enrolled at Central Washington University, where Aaron was a bull rider for the university Rodeo Club. He joined the Army ROTC program, seeking the bachelor's degree and leadership training required to be a helicopter pilot. Aaron led the CWU "Wildcat" Battalion to national recognition as the nation's "Most Outstanding Senior Army ROTC Battalion," and earned his commission as second lieutenant upon graduation.
Aaron completed pilot training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama; he was reassigned to Ft. Drum, New York, in 2011. In January 2013, his unit spent three weeks in Colorado, where he trained in high-altitude flying in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. He loved flying his Apache helicopter and showed off his expertise at an air show at Ft. Drum, New York. In early April 2013, he joined the 2nd Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade in Afghanistan, flying an AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter.
Aaron's passion for service and leadership, and his determination to know and understand his work and the world around him earned him the respect of his peers. His warmth, wonderful sense of humor, and generosity will always be remembered by his friends and family.
Military colleagues describe him as having a huge heart: "If you told him he couldn't do something, he'd do it, no matter what." He took care of others. He is described as having a wonderful spirit, easygoing, able to get along with everyone, and adventurous. Aaron's friends and colleagues nicknamed him "Rudy," a reference to Rudy Ruettiger, who, against tremendous odds, pursued and achieved his dream of earning a place on the Notre Dame football team.
While Aaron was passionate about service to his country, the center of his universe was his family. He reveled in his role as loving husband to Becky and adoring father of Hunter and Amalia. On leave from the Army or Marines, Aaron sought out time with his brothers, mother and father, and grandparents. He looked forward to family events that brought together scores of cousins, and aunts and uncles.
Aaron's awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the NATO Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon , the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Army Aviator Badge, the Navy-Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, four Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and two Rifle Expert Badges. He also completed Marine Combat Training, Aviation Machinist Mate Courses, the Apache Aviator Qualification Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, and the Aviation Office Basic Course.
Aaron was preceded in death by his grandfather, Roy D. Blanchard. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca; son Hunter and daughter Amalia; mother Laura Schactler; father Don Blanchard; brothers Michael and Karl Blanchard; grandfather John Schactler; grandmothers Carolyn Schactler and Nadine Blanchard; and an extended family and universe of friends who mourn his passing with broken hearts.
The Hunting Washington Forum is sponsoring "Joshua Cup IV Tribute," a big-game hunting tournament to generate funds for Aaron's family as well as the Blanchard Family Memorial Fund has been created at Wells Fargo Bank.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 11:00 AM in the Stone Church located at 3303 Englewood Ave, Yakima, WA 98902. He will be laid to rest on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at noon in the Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA. To share a memory of Aaron, please visit www.keithandkeith.com (http://www.keithandkeith.com).
Post by: bearpaw on May 04, 2013, 11:11:58 AM
Post by: jackelope on May 04, 2013, 12:09:29 PM
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on May 06, 2013, 12:45:46 PM
-Steve