Lance Cpl. Blaise Oleski

This is a hard post to write. It's a subject I've been trying to avoid thinking about, but yet, since I learned about it yesterday morning, it's been in the forefront of my mind.

Lance Corporal Blaise A. Oleski was killed in action on Thursday, April 9, 2009.

My family has known of Blaise for a while now. He and my brother became fast friends while in the Marine corps and this news hit too close to home. Ben considered Blaise one of his closest friends, if not his closest, that he has through the Marines. They were in the same company - 3/8s Weapons. Their Weapons Company had been split up and Ben hadn't talked to Blaise since he was deployed in November.

Blaise was fighting in Afghanistan when he was shot by enemy fire. Word got to my brother a day or so after it happened and my Mom actually read about it online Saturday night. When Ben called Sunday morning, he confirmed what Mom had suspected, that the man she read about was the boy we have heard about for a long time. Even on Sunday, Ben told Mom again about Blaise and what a sincerely good person he was.

How his family must be hurting! We cannot imagine what it would be like to have your worst fears realized. Please God, bless his family and give them peace in such a time of tragedy. Protect all of those who are still fighting and for the cause that Blaise Oleski gave his life for.

Chris and I found the following articles if you would like to read more about Blaise Oleski, our fallen Marine. Just last week, President Obama okayed media coverage for fallen soldiers, with their families approval of course. The Oleski's family are allowing the media into such a sensitive, emotional time for them and I am very glad. It gives us a chance to walk through this with them and a chance to honor someone who has paid the ultimate price for our country.

Even though we've never met and I never knew Blaise, my heart goes out to the family. They are not alone in their hurting.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hffZhu28b89R29R4cZgwSH_hy23AD97F9QCO0?index=0

http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/Funeral-arrangements-for-Oneida-Co-Marine-set/u2KExEYA9kqEoAIDV362xg.cspx

http://www.wktv.com/news/local/42850887.html

http://de.truveo.com/Remembering-Lance-Corporal-Blaise-Oleski-4909/id/3029082690

http://news10now.com/content/all_news/romemohawk_valley/137298/marine-s-body-to-return-home-tuesday/Default.aspx

http://www.wktv.com/news/local/42806177.html

http://www.wktv.com/news/local/42747527.html