Ok, if you actually read my journal and want to continue doing so, reply here.  I am feeling the need to trim my friends list down.

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Edited to add:  If you were trimmed and don't wish to be, just leave a reply here.  Also, if you wish to be added, let me know and your wish is my command.  This journal will remain friends ony.

This is all I am going to say about today:

Fred Cox, Jr. RIP 92nd Floor, South Tower Sandler O'Neil **You were such a dear friend.  I think of you often, but especially today. Thank you for being a part of my life.  Thank you for being YOU.  Thank you for walking me to Physics on Fridays when sixth period was over by 12:40.  I am so sorry that I wasn't there for you 6 years ago.  I am sorry I didn't have the means to tell you to GET OUT.  I knew you should, but how could I reach you?  Forgive me.  I hope that you are resting in peace.

Benjamin Suarez RIP NYFD Engine 21 **Thank you for your humanity.  Thank you for your dedication and endurance. Thank you for saving thousands of lives in the name of your own.  I helped lay you to rest, and for that I will be eternally honored.  I wish I could have kept an eye on your son, so nobly  dressed like you at your services.  I still pray for your wife and your family.  Forever, thank you.  I hope that you are resting in peace.

To David Peterson (North Tower, 104th floor): I regret that Fred watched what happened to his future bro-in-law through his office windows in the South Tower.  I regret that you didn't have a way out.  I wish I could have made things different for you..... and Fred....  and Annalise.  I can't imagine what you went through.  I hope that you are resting in peace.

And to Annalise:  I have never met you.  But you were engaged to Fred and a sister to David.  Believe it or not, I think of you often... and your loss.  I hope you are LIVING in peace.

And to sculptruth: you are in my thoughts today as well.  On a different level, yes.  But none the less.  I am glad you are here with us today.

And to Josh.... and to all my boys and girls fighting and dying for the war that this massacre started.... I am waiting for peace.  I am waiting for justice.  I continue to admire those that dedicate their LIVES to overcoming the evil in this world......  for their recognition... and for some proof that ALL their lives have not been given in vain.  And to those that STILL fight..... you have my light, my strength, and my dedication.

NEVER forget,

Services for Shane O'Neil Briley will be held tomorrow, 1pm at:

St. Joseph's
732 18th Ave E
Seattle

His memorial is still scheduled for Monday evening at the Twilight Exit, time TBA.

So from what I can understand, Shane was in a car accident Friday night and passed away on Sunday.

This info via Chris (bartender) via Charles (a close friend of Shane's) who heard about it on Sunday immediately after it happened.  I do not really have any way of knowing the details or accuracy of any of this... And quite frankly, the details don't really matter much to me right now.

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, July 16th at the Twilight Exit.

I will post the time and directions when I know more.

Let me know if you  have any questions and I will try to answer them.

There are many of you on my friends list - and out there in LJ land - to which this information might be relevant.

If you remember a bar back at Merc named Shane.... cute little thing with a comic who liked to draw.... bicycle Shane...

Shane was in a car accident today and didn't make it.

He is no longer with us.

I can't do all the phone calls this time because I don't know who to call.... And quite frankly I just don't feel up to it.

But I will do the same for Shane that it seems to be my duty this year so far to do... I will continue to update here regularly with any information I have regarding a memorial service or if any more details become available.

I am so sorry...

(Feel free to pass the information on...)

Edited to add:You can visit his web site at www.one2d.com or his myspace HERE.

About a month and a half ago, I was contacted by a couple of Fayetteville Observer newspaper reporters who were preparing a piece on the "Samarra Seven" for Memorial Day Weekend.

I gathered Kelly and we met with them at 13 Coins.  They had just come from Abilene and had visited with Josh's parents.  They wanted to know about his life in Seattle and his friends here... more about the kind of man he was and what he meant to this city and his friends.

They released the piece this weekend and I must say that they did an amazing job.

If you are so inclined, please visit HERE for the story of these seven soldiers... it is graphic and difficult to read, I must warn you.  But if you want to know what really went down that day, it's all there.  Every detail.

I raised a glass in toast to you yesterday, Josh.  And to Lance, Nigel, Jens, Muddy.... everyone that I know who was there, is there, or will be there shortly.

I hope you all did, too.  These men deserve it.  Honor, respect, and remembrance.

I was just reading and filling out my passport and noticed a few things.

1.  It has a microchip in it.  Didn't know that.... it's an electronic passport.

2.  The new design seemed cool at first, but then I started to read the quotes they put in it and it is a bit aggressive.

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and success of liberty." ~JFK

Famous quote and all and I LOVE Kennedy, but in this political climate... it makes me uncomfortable.

"This is a new nation, based on a mighty continent, of boundless possibilities."  ~Teddy Roosevelt

"Whatever America hopes to bring to pass in the world must first come to pass in the heart of America."  ~Eisenhower

And so on and so on. 

I don't really like the tone of my passport.  Weird.

 

 

I just wanted to thank everyone for attending the memorial for Josh Boyd las Thursday night.  Your presence and kind words were... overwhelming.

Here is the video that was running on the computer.  

I will be sending electronic copies of the program to those that requested it soon.  I unfortunately became very sick Thursday and am still recovering.

Thank you to everyone who has helped by supplying photos, food for the reception, and your general support. Please come help celebrate the life of Josh Boyd tomorrow evening.

TV Station is Texas airing a tribute to Josh this evening.

They are sending me a tape of the broadcast and it will be shown at the memorial on Thursday.

Please email any photos of josh that you have to raswedi@gmail.com

They will be used at the Memorial services on Thursday evening.

Thanks very much.

I just got off the phone with a reporter from Abilene who is doing a tribute story on Josh.

She is very respectful and nice. She would like to hear stories about Josh... and asked that I pass her contact info on to anyone who might be interested in talking to her.

Sarah Varble
The Abilene Reporter-News
325-676-6744
KleinerS@reporternews.com

Please feel free to contact her if you have photos or are willing to speak with her about Josh.

Thanks.

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From the Abilene Reporter News

Not entirely factually accurate (he passed on yesterday, not today), however the DOD has not released the official information yet. They usually release info within 3 or 4 days, so it should be up by the week's end.