WTF-over. Victor Echo Tango: Olmsted, Casey.

Olmsted, 38, dies in Iraqi ambush; 1st casualty of '08 see - David Montero, Rocky Mountain News: [1]

As I wrote the last lines in the Christmas Eve Vlog, never would I believe one of our own – both an officer and a blogger, Maj. Andrew Olmsted, 38, and Cpt. Thomas J. Casey, 32, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, to become the first casualties - by ambush - in '08?

Ironically, the Major enjoyed the distinction of being named one of the militaries TOP bloggers. He also wrote a parting piece found here: FInal Post

• "I went to Iraq and did what I did for my reasons, not yours. My life isn't a chit to be used to bludgeon people to silence on either side. If you think the U.S. should stay in Iraq, don't drag me into it by claiming that somehow my death demands us staying in Iraq," he wrote. "If you think the U.S. ought to get out tomorrow, don't cite my name as an example of someone's life who was wasted by our mission in Iraq. – Major Olmsted.[1]

"And maybe now it's your turn to die kicking some ass." Freedom Isn't Free: Team America

So who are we as a people – all of us? I hope for the Majors sake, he finds that which he spoke in his last letter to his loved one. Casey and Olmsted – both Loadstars, perhaps referenced as G'kar and his Captain? Both now loaded and Sirius bound to where the scroll of our deeds on this place - are now again presented by those who lived among us as loadestars - true citizens of comportment on our field. They are found acceptable: Major Andrew Olmsted. Captain Thomas Casey. Earlier I had wondered about the ones we lose, as a part of what is this idea of ‘the rest of us’ in us all.

When we think ill of our country? When we think ill of each other? When the next time we feel we may yell as scream to hear out the scrolls of the names of our dead - speak the Name Major Olmsted or Captain Casey in its stead.

You speak Peace? It is still brought only by service within us all - by those truly as Olmsted and Casey whom served - especially those whose wings are Phobos and Deimos chasing Mars.

Today – the Network is the fabric of those who carry hope for us still - each one of us. In all of us – pressed and folded further into the service of humankind – serving an ability to record history – to keep our record alive. Our victory is not that we know the end. When we see ourselves lining up with the long cast shadows of our lifelong struggles – how we met face to face in the times of great struggle defines us.

As if those who die in this conflict journey there not having known the cliche' of life as not always fair? Sell Smeltown Pie town somewhere else.

• "We're all going to die of something. I died doing a job I loved. When your time comes, I hope you are as fortunate as I was.." - Andrew Olmsted, World Citizen.
  

That is what defines these I write - being as beings, above the crowd – marking those whom serve the exemplar citizen are shadows cast brighter, further, longer still. So go now remembering words that had lived in this world citizen.

Vlog's prayer for these this day:

Be still my heart this night - Phobos and Deimos with wings upon your feet come to claim these souls who no longer look nor wait for sleep. We now wait for the hand of hope. Even crooked hope -- to shine beyond the loss of these now gone.

Amen.