Somewhat late to wish everyone a happy Newyear, and sadly not writing often enough to maintain a current thought, I did not have much to say, until I received an e-mail from my brother. He also, is an old soldier, and knew I would enjoy or admire this web blog.  Go to : http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/2008/01/05/farewell-letters-then-and-now/      Sullivan Ballou was an officer at Bull Run.  His farewell letter to the world and his family, serves as a typical posting any soldier who was about to die would like to write to the world and his family.  I note, I said soldier.  These are the people who volunteer to protect and defend their country, not those who complain or have political purpose.  Ballou speaks for his time.  And I imagine there have be letters from every war.  But, Today we are at war with an enemy who has no country, knows no boundary and seeks to end our way of life.  But we still have true defenders as noted by a second website recommended by the first.  There you will find the final blog of a Major Olmstead written before his death in Iraq.  It was written well before his death and entered by a frind for us to read. I imagine he would have changed a few words the instant before his death, for we all edit, edit, edit. But his thoughts echo those of Sullivan Ballou at Bull Run, even though he was protecting a small village in Iraq, which IS tied to our freedom as it is tied to the people of Iraq.  Olmstead was a true Soldier. I will  love and cherish his final thoughts, and read his letter and Sullivan Ballou's letter  to my young boys.  May they grow up with such courage and fidelity.

Though Sullivan Ballou was a Union Officer, I recoganize him as a true Worrier of his time. I'm sure many on both sides wrote similar notes to their loved ones.  I can not imagine todays Terriost writing his loved ones saying they died for their country and their families.  I imagine the say the die for their God when they actually die for the political belief of some radical Islamist. May they rest in peace, but I hope they now know the truth, and recognize the true Worriers such as Ballou and Olmstead.

Pleas see this web site and reveare as I have. 

http://bullrunnings.wordpress.com/2008/01/05/farewell-letters-then-and-now/