A Story Has Ended

Blogging is an interesting world.  Communication moves in mysterious ways. 

Last night the news slowly came together that Captain Carroll "Lex" LeFon, known to so very many through his incredible blog Neptunus Lex, had been the pilot of a plane that had crashed in Nevada.   Even before the story went pubic, many in the milblog world were reeling with the news. I was told that background emails were exploding among the main core of military bloggers. 

No, there had been no authoritative word, but silence is telling and Lex's blog remained silent.  My dear friend Bou emailed to let me know what was going on. Like everyone else I started searching for a definite yes or no.  It soon became clear, even without the authorities telling us, the worst had happened. It was indeed Lex at the controls of the plane and he did not survive.

This morning I read Bou's post and I knew I wanted to say something from my own perspective.

...Reading about his drag chute malfunction, I put that I was glad I worked in a cube. In a response to one of his other commenters, I went the next step and said I didn't know how Lex did what he did.

And I stopped short, I actually erased the sentence I had next which was "And I don't know how his wife does what she does, knowing these things happen..."

I now think back to when I met Lex several years ago at a Milblog Conference.  I didn't know too much more about him than what he put on his blog.  So I knew he was a Navy Officer and he was a TOPGUN pilot.  After a few minutes of talking to him I realized... this... this is the personality Tom Cruise tried to pull off in the movie Top Gun.  Tried and failed. Completely and utterly.  

There was something, that little something, impossible for someone else to reproduce unless they happen to have that trait in their own personality.  Lex had it.  He was brilliant, a fantastic story teller, an incredibly talented pilot, and it was all pulled together by his personality.  His blog conveyed much of this to the world.  The fact that he could land a jet on a bobbing little platform in the middle of the ocean at night... that tells you all you need to know.  He knew what he wanted to do and was completely confident he could accomplish it.

Without that something, Lex would not have been the person he was.  I'm quite sure his wife married him for exactly these qualities and then made her peace with the fact that these same qualities would always put his life in danger.  To try and change him, no matter how much his job scared her, would have been to change the man and would have made him less than he was.  It would never work. 

Lex was 51.  Far too young to be taken from us.  My deepest condolences to his wife and family.  Tonight his friends will be lifting a Guiness in his honor.  There will be "...a helluva Irish wake in the milblog world today". 

May he rest in peace.  He will not be forgotten.

***

McQ has posted his thoughts at Blackfive.
Instapinch has posted his thoughts too.
HomefrontSix has her thoughts here.
CalTechGirl has her own memories.

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It's Been 70 Years

I wasn't born yet, my parents hadn't even met... but listening to this and remembering Pearl Harbor still makes me catch my breath and makes my heart twist.



We can never repay the debt to all the men and women who stepped up to fight for our freedom.  We never forget those who lost their lives that day. 

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The Bruins Do Veteran's Day Right

 I saw this on television last night because hockey rocks and I was ready to watch the game!   Yay Bruins and Yay NHL. Thank you for your support of our military!



Better yet, the Bruins got a win.  Great night of hockey for everyone.

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Keep them in your heart

If you haven't heard the news yet, a Chinook was shot down in Afghanistan today.

Afghan Chopper Crash Kills 31 U.S. Troops, 7 Afghans

This will be a very hard day for many many people. 

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VALOUR-IT

As we celebrate the birthday of our great country this month, take a moment, if you are able, and give the gift of communication to a wounded soldier.

Soldier's Angels VALOUR-IT - Team Army!

Every little bit helps.  Thank you so much!

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Osama is Dead

Whoever pulled the trigger - Thank You!***

I doubt much will change in the larger world because of this, but it does make me very happy. Especially the "is he or isn't he" every year or so when he released some tape or other from his hidey-hole. That was most tiring.

Now... can I leave my shoes on when walking through airport security? Please.

*** yes I fully realize a mere thank you is completely insufficient.

PS - I have a nice hole in my yard where you can plant him. A septic field seems to be appropriate for the job. Ha!

Posted by: Teresa in Military at 11:18 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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To Any WW2 Vets Out There

We will never forget.

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It's The Valour-IT Competition! Go Army!

It's that time of year again! The battle has begun. Which service will raise the most money to help wounded soldiers get reconnected with the world?

Team Army for Valour-IT!

The goal is $15,000 or more. Especially if we make more than the Navy, Air Force, or Marines.

Want to know how it all started? Blackfive has the story.

Or let Cox and Forkum show you...



Please help us help the soldiers who have given so much for us!

Thank you!

Posted by: Teresa in Military at 10:38 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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A Day of Reflection

It's been 9 years.  Today is a day to remember.

Remember  what was lost.

Remember the cost of trying to keep it from happening again.

Then

Remember to live your life and enjoy your freedom. It can be gone in the blink of an eye.

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Team Rubicon

This is so cool I wanted to pass it on.

One Hour on the Ground, One Life Saved

I support Team Rubicon.  These guys rock!

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Congratulations MaryAnn!

MaryAnn Phillips, a Soldier's Angel was awarded one of the highest civilian honors this week.

Soldiers' Angel Receives Presidential Citizens Medal

As a volunteer, Ms. Phillips regularly spends hours at the bedside of wounded or dying soldiers, distributes gifts of support to patients and medical personnel, coordinates donations, and leads a staff of local German and American volunteers.  She also spends dozens of hours at home each week, completing paperwork and reassuring stateside families of patients she has met at LRMC. 

I have met MaryAnn.  She is more than deserving of this honor.  There are no words sufficient to tell people how much she does for our wounded soldiers and their families.  I'm still trying to figure out when she sleeps... We are so lucky the world has people like her.  

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I Still Love the Original Best

I think maybe my favorite video evah. (turn up the volume and enjoy!)

 

I mean how can you miss when you've got Patton quotes?   (Well that and whole "shadow of death" thing... most excellent)

Now, they've released a second vid that's for the Marines.  And while I adore the Silent Drill Team and I think Chesty Puller was probably the most awesome Marine ever minted. AND it has a terrific opening... I still love the original.



Many Thanks to Blackfive for posting these when they are released.

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Troopathon

Want to be part of the largest care package send off in the world? 

Today July 1st  from
4pm to Midnight EST
1pm to 9pm Pacific

For as little as $25 you can send a care package.

Go HERE for the deets. 

Or

Go HERE to place an order. 

Of course you can do this at any time - but why not join the crowd and have some fun!  Many thanks.

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Memorial Day

I hope everyone has an excellent Memorial Day weekend.  We need to celebrate and enjoy the wonderful freedom that so many have given their lives to make possible.

Go here and see the tribute by people all over the country - Coming Home.  Just keep scrolling.

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Five Years Ago

Keep the families and friends in your prayers.

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Take a Moment and Help Some Angels

Soldiers' Angels that is.  David Bellavia is asking for prayers for a severely wounded warrior, Todd Nicely.  Soldiers' Angels are on the job as always, helping. 

It's not the time of year when people think of donating - Christmas is the time for that.  But every once in a while, a story makes us stop and remember that Christmas only comes once a year... maybe now would be a good time to give too.  

If you have a little extra, please consider donating to Soldiers' Angels.  Perhaps to Valour-IT so Todd has a way to communicate as he's on the mend.  Perhaps to the general fund to help with many of their various projects for Soldiers. 

If you can't contribute right now, please send some good thoughts and prayers.  For Todd and his family.  For Soldiers' Angels who step in whenever needed and give whatever they can to help. 

Thank you.

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They Define the Words - JUST DO IT

Team Rubicon. 

If you want to get things done in Haiti - don't bother with the big organizations - they're all sitting at the airport  along with all their supplies while the Haitians suffer.  Someone told them that it was too dangerous to venture out. 

This is what can be accomplished when you get a bunch of people together who don't know the meaning of the words... "we'll wait til it's safe".

If you have a few dollars to spare, they can use any help.  They can use all your prayers. 

You can follow their progress over at the Team Rubicon blog section at Blackfive. 

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To All My Veteran Friends Out There

There are not enough thanks we can give for your service.

Every year Matty O'Blackfive reprints the Mike Royko column from 1993.  Mike says it better than I ever could. 

If you aren't a veteran, consider helping Soldier's Angels.  Today is the last day of the Valour-IT fund drive.  Go Army!

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Valour-IT Fundraiser

Please consider donating to help our wounded warriors. Support the Army Team.  Give them the gift of communication with the world outside the hospital.  $5, $10... if everyone gave a little, they would have enough to help them all. 

Thank you. 

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Chinooks At Night in Afghanistan

Michael Yon has some incredible pictures and (naturally) terrific writing about night landings of Chinooks in Afghanistan.

Go check it out. 

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