I don't know if he had still posted on this forum or not, but as a friend of mine, I know that for quite some time he obsessively posted on this site.
Bean was killed in Afghanistan just a few days ago. A letter of his was posted in the Chicago Tribune. I will link it here. I'm sure he sends his regards.
[ May 23, 2009, 03:38 PM: Message edited by: Papa Janitor ]
Posted by Darth_Mauve (Member # 4709) on :
He will be missed.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Thanks for letting us know, LVilla.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
Oh my. That felt like a punch in the gut.
Its seems like our little community has lost its first member in action, rip.
quote: In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. — Lt.-Col. John McCrae(1872 - 1918)
Au champ d'honneur, les coquelicots Sont parsemés de lot en lot Auprès des croix; et dans l'espace Les alouettes devenues lasses Mêlent leurs chants au sifflement Des obusiers.
Nous sommes morts, Nous qui songions la veille encor' À nos parents, à nos amis, C'est nous qui reposons ici, Au champ d'honneur.
À vous jeunes désabusés, À vous de porter l'oriflamme Et de garder au fond de l'âme Le goût de vivre en liberté. Acceptez le défi, sinon Les coquelicots se faneront Au champ d'honneur.
-Jean Pariseau
Posted by Traceria (Member # 11820) on :
Very powerful words, and very sobering. I haven't been around long enough to have met him, but his service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.
Thanks for sharing. His family and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by Tammy (Member # 4119) on :
Oh... Posted by Stray (Member # 4056) on :
I'm so sorry to hear that I'll keep his family in my thoughts.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
My god. That's terrible.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
LVilla, if you're out there reading this, please contact me at the address in my profile. There are some people who'd like to do something for his family, but due to the anonymity of our interactions are generally reluctant to cold-contact them without introduction.
Posted by Corwin (Member # 5705) on :
Posted by Valentine014 (Member # 5981) on :
That is so sad.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
What Blayne said
Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :
Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Oh, no. Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I didn't get along with him, at all,but I always wished him well. Just because you don't like someone doesn't mean you wish them ill ....... which is something that a lot of people on BOTH sides of the issues seem to forget at times.
I honor his sacrifice, and wish his family as much comfort as possible.
Posted by Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged (Member # 7476) on :
I didn't know Scott before he died. Today, I miss him.
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
Posted by T:man (Member # 11614) on :
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
It is an amazing letter, and the family will be in my thoughts. Such a loss.
Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
God speed you, Scott. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You will be missed...
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
I saw the letter in the Trib. I had NO idea that was BC. My condolences to all of Scott's family and friends.
Posted by Vadon (Member # 4561) on :
What a powerful letter...
I hardly remember BC from the time he was active. If I recall correctly he was often the center of heated debates here and there was a lot of conflict. That said, I also remember that he was and is a cherished member of this community, despite the differences in opinion. I'll miss him. Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
I don't know what to say. I feel very broken up about this, even though I didn't know Bean personally. I feel like I knew him somehow...I mean I remember him and his posting, but I wouldn't have thought hearing about this would have affected me so. Yet it has. The letter was heartfelt and beautifully written...and I read it the first time through in shock and the second time through in tears.
My prayers are with his family and friends tonight. May the Lord comfort and keep you.
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
Oh my. My prayers go out to his family. Tragic.
Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :
I never talked with Bean personally. Despite any difference of opinion, and there would have been plenty had I participated in some threads of his, it still saddens me to hear this news.
I'll honor him by remembering who he was and what he did.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
What a wonderful letter. Sleep well friend, may you find peace.
Posted by brojack17 (Member # 9189) on :
God Speed Scott. Thoughts and prayers for his family. Thank God we have heroes like this serving in our military.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Mostly, we argued. But he made his points, and (as demonstrated in his letter) he made them from the heart.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Even as General Sax, sorta....
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Goodbye, Bean Counter. I remember his name but not much more. I'm sorry that he did not make it back to float down his lazy river; I believe I'll retain that image for some time.
Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :
Yeah, that image of floating in a tube down a lazy river is a keen one for me, too. I've done that a few times, and those are cherished memories for me, too.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Yeah, that is a good image.
Posted by BelladonnaOrchid (Member # 188) on :
I remember reading BC's posts when he was active. I remember that he spoke with great fervor about his desire to serve in the military. I am glad that he got the opportunity to serve his country in the way he wanted to, but sad that he was unable to return to it.
May the spirits be kind to you, Scott.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
quote:Originally posted by Kwea: I didn't get along with him, at all,but I always wished him well. Just because you don't like someone doesn't mean you wish them ill ....... which is something that a lot of people on BOTH sides of the issues seem to forget at times.
I honor his sacrifice, and wish his family as much comfort as possible.
Well said, Kwea. And seconded.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
Posted by Liz B (Member # 8238) on :
My prayers are going out for him and for his family.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
The style I disliked so much here seems very different in a death letter. But was this a letter to his mother, and family? Or was it a pocket letter, in case something happened?
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
According to the link, he wrote the letter to a friend.
Posted by Bella Bee (Member # 7027) on :
My goodness. This is so sad. I'll be thinking of his family and friends.
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
I am so sorry for your loss. Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
This is terrible. I remember his posts here, and that he often posted with arrogance and disrespect for others' opinions. But it was the arrogance of youth, and so many hatrackers have started out like that and later grown up to become valued and well-considered members of the community. I'm deeply saddened that BC will never get that chance, now. I honor his sacrifice which he made for all of us, and I concur with his view that we in the US live sheltered peaceful lives in a harsh and dangerous world. May we never cease to feel gratitude, respect, and love for their noble sacrifice.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Oh my god... I not only remember him really well, but he and I were pretty good friends, via e-mail and so forth. I can't believe this happened. I'll be thinking about him, and my condolences to his family and friends...
Thanks for letting us know, LVilla.
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
I'm so very sorry. I hope he rests peacefully.
Posted by Clive Candy (Member # 11977) on :
I used to post as "theSomalian" and was familiar with his posts over the years. May his family find the strength to endure this tragedy.
Posted by Threads (Member # 10863) on :
Cross-posted from ornery
quote:A while back he sent me a draft of a story that he was writing. I regret not following through with a full review but I guess it's a little late for that
It was called "Heinlein Entry". I can forward it to anyone who wants to read it. I'm going to reread it tonight.
EDIT: He sent it to me after I asked so I don't think it would be a problem for me to send it to others. If anyone has any objections just tell me.
Posted by Wendybird (Member # 84) on :
Thoughts and prayers extend to his loved ones.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I know I posted a little while ago, but I just recently went through and read a bunch of my old e-mails from him... it made me feel like I was in some tragic war movie... they were all like "I hope I get to meet you soon," and "another one was killed today, but don't worry about me, I can take care of myself"...
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
I never got along with him, and there were times I wished he would just go away. But I never wished he would die. Reading that letter, there's no doubt in my mind that was BC. I don't know what to say.
In all honesty I had so many terrible thoughts about him, which now feel like poison in my mind. I never wished him harm, but I didn't trust him. I rarely appreciated his thoughts and ideas, more often I wished he wouldn't post them. I didn't even extend the most basic level of trust -- believing he was who he said he was. I was convinced he was a troll.
Reading now that his posts were indeed honest and from the heart. And that he died protecting us all. ...I wish I had just swallowed my distrust and engaged with him on a more honest and earnest level while he was still here. Rather than just wishing he would shut up and go away.
It's too late now, but I'm sorry BC. Thank you for your sacrifice. My thoughts are with your family and loved ones. May you rest in peace.
Posted by DDDaysh (Member # 9499) on :
I can't say I remember him, but it is still tragic. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
May Sgt. Stream rest in peace, whether or not he was also Bean Counter.
Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
Wow. That really leaves me at a loss for words.
God bless you and your family, Scott. Thank you for what you gave.
Posted by beleaguered (Member # 11983) on :
I feel I need to say something- one soldier to another. Bean, though I never knew your Hatrack identity, I admire your candor of speech, and demeanor in which you seemed to have written your letter. I admire the chivalry you display in selflessly leaving your friends, family, and home. You really understood what's important, something everyone else in the world must come to understand. I hope to honor your death to the best of my ability, to make my presence here a valuable contribution to the benefit of the world. I pray the seeds you've undoubtedly have planted will grow, bearing the fruits of your legacy. Brother in arms, my thoughts are with you.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
We disagreed on too much for me to remember BC fondly, but I'm very sorry he's gone. Rest in peace.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
Wow, this puts my troubles in perspective.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
Well, yes, I would think life/death is the ultimate binary. My parents should have used that one on me instead of "kids in India."
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by erosomniac: We disagreed on too much for me to remember BC fondly, but I'm very sorry he's gone. Rest in peace.
Indeed.
I rarely agreed with him, but there was no denying that he was a forceful advocate for his cause. He defended America on here with words, even though we disagreed on the methods and courses of action necessary to do so. And he died defending America out there.
I trust that he has no regrets in his actions, and that he believed firmly in what he was doing over there. I hope his family can take a lot of pride and hopefully comfort in that.
Posted by MyrddinFyre (Member # 2576) on :
Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
I'm so sorry to hear this. Peace and comfort to all who loved him.
Posted by LVilla (Member # 11980) on :
"When a man decides to do something he must go all the way... he must take responsibility for what he does... he must first know why he is doing it, and then he must proceed with his actions without having doubts or remorse about them."
Posted by Sterling (Member # 8096) on :
May you find peace and rest, Bean Counter.
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
quote:he must proceed with his actions without having doubts or remorse about them
I believe it was this attitude of his that I found most persistently incorrect.
For myself, I have found both doubt and remorse to be frequently useful.
Posted by LVilla (Member # 11980) on :
That was Scott's mantra in life, to a degree. It's from Castaneda. Journey to Ixtlan.
Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :
Thank you LVilla for posting.
I'm almost never here anymore, but remember BeanCounter. While I never like to hear that someone has died, there is some...comfort? I guess that might be the best, though inadequate word...in someone who dies consistent with their life. I know he believed in where he was and what he was doing, so I am comforted, and am touched by the words he left behind.
Thanks again for posting. I'll be praying for his family in the face of their loss.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:Originally posted by TomDavidson:
quote:he must proceed with his actions without having doubts or remorse about them
I believe it was this attitude of his that I found most persistently incorrect.
For myself, I have found both doubt and remorse to be frequently useful.
What Tom said.
I find it deeply ironic that so many self proclaimed "Christian" see doubt and remorse as failings.
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
quote:I rarely agreed with him, but there was no denying that he was a forceful advocate for his cause. He defended America on here with words, even though we disagreed on the methods and courses of action necessary to do so. And he died defending America out there.
Unfortunately, although I'm confident that Bean Counter believed he was defending America out there when he died, I don't believe the war he was fighting was defending America in any meaningful way. And in my mind that makes his death all that much sadder.
He had a naive faith in an American Ideal that made it easy for unscrupulous leaders to manipulate him into serving in a poorly conceived, ill-planned, badly executed and unethical war that had almost nothing to do with the ideals he believed in. And he paid the ultimate price for it. That's not just sad, its tragic.
I know its considered impolite to say this kind of thing when someone has died, but I think its important to speak the truth, especially at these times or the cycle goes on.
Over 3000 US soldiers died on the final day of WW I. General Pershing knew the terms of the armistice had already been set and that his actions would have no impact on the terms of the armistice, but he launched a bloody assault anyway to further his own career. The men who died that day didn't die defending America. They died to advance the career of a General who was willing to kill thousands of his own men for personal gain. When good men die in poorly conceived fights, we don't do them any favors by calling them heroes. We just ensure that it will keep happening over and over again.
[ March 02, 2009, 04:50 PM: Message edited by: The Rabbit ]
Posted by LVilla (Member # 11980) on :
I am probably going to lock this post now. The Rabbit may have convinced me to do so. Please, if you read the quote and read the thread, you would know that it's a quote from Castaneda, one of Scott's favorite authors.
The last time I checked, Castaneda wasn't much of a Christian. Read first. This a thread for simple words. Not an area to flame or tout agenda.
You can do that in a new thread if you'd like.
Posted by MattP (Member # 10495) on :
Not the place, Rabbit.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Unfortunately, although I'm confident that Bean Counter believed he was defending America out there when he died, I don't believe the war he was fighting was defending America in any meaningful way. And in my mind that makes his death all that much sadder.
He had a naive faith in an American Ideal that made it easy for unscrupulous leaders to manipulate him into serving in a poorly conceived, ill-planned, badly executed and unethical war that had almost nothing to do with the ideals he believed in. And he paid the ultimate price for it. That's not just sad, its tragic.
I understand your feelings on the matter. I've had this argument with my brother, a former Marine, many times, and in this specific instance, I think Matt's words are most appropriate. There's a time and a place. This is neither the time, nor the place.
In my opinion though, his intention matters as much as the actual end result of his actions. So while I might not feel like the war over there has made me safer, that doesn't mean that he didn't die trying to defend me and mine, and I can appreciate his intention and his effort all the same.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Originally posted by MattP: Not the place, Rabbit.
I am very sympathetic to the idea you are trying to convey Rabbit, but I think another thread is a better place. While I hope that when I am dead people will discuss my legacy honestly, I still hope there is at least one little place where the things I believed in are cherished as much as they can be.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
quote:I know its considered impolite to say this kind of thing when someone has died, but I think its important to speak the truth, especially at these times or the cycle goes on.
Um, this is a thread offered to inform us that he died. I told him exactly what I thought of him and his ideology, when he was alive. There was more or less a point then. He's dead, so this is only really just rubbing salt in the wounds of people who knew him and who have suffered loss through his death, to put that here.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
Here's to BeanCounter's apparent intentions.
Posted by Godric 2.0 (Member # 11443) on :
Here's to BeanCounter. You will be missed by your family, friends, country and a little online community that you visited. Rest in peace, it was too soon, but you've earned it.
Posted by Destineer (Member # 821) on :
I enjoyed reading BC's last letter. He was always an eloquent writer with a powerful voice.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Here's to his intentions, but not his methods or his mode of discourse, then.
Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
Man... this sucks. We were kind of kindred spirits here. No words can express the thanks for his service.
Posted by Vyrus (Member # 10525) on :
I can't profess to say that I knew him, but it saddens me nonetheless.
His words were beautiful.
Bless him for sacrificing himself for this country, and I'll keep my prayers on him and his family.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
I am unable to get the link to the letter to load.
Edited:
Got it now. Thanks...
[ March 06, 2009, 10:20 AM: Message edited by: Bob_Scopatz ]
Posted by LVilla (Member # 11980) on :
Thank you for your kindness. Scott is in the ground now.
I guess that's about it.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Originally posted by LVilla: Thank you for your kindness. Scott is in the ground now.
I guess that's about it.
That may be it for his military service, but I would not say that is it for Scott.
Posted by Papa Janitor (Member # 7795) on :
Ok -- I agree that yes, it's a good idea to sticky this thread for this weekend. I ask that should anyone post to it, that it be to honor the sacrifice Bean Counter and those like him have made on behalf of others, giving their lives in service to their country. Differing opinions are certainly out there, but I ask that they remain out of this thread, at least for this weekend.
Thanks, PJ
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
I don't really have the words to adequately express my appreciation for our veterans.
Posted by Darth_Mauve (Member # 4709) on :
quote:I don't really have the words to adequately express my appreciation for our veterans.
I don't know if anyone really has either, and many who claim they do are selling something.
Thanks to all of them.
Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :
Makes Memorial Day more personally meaningful than it usually is for me, unfortunately:( I'm sorry he's gone. I regret that we didn't see the side of him expressed in that letter, too. That comes out a criticism, but that criticism can be truly said of all of us.
Godspeed on your new journey, Sergeant.
Posted by Redskullvw (Member # 1549) on :
Straygaldwyr will be missed.
From Ornery,
"My mission warning order came down finally, however I am not sure about dates as far as when we get boots on the ground, June 8 is my activation for federal orders, May 3 we go to a three week state AT and we SRP next month.
As for our mission we are being broken into four man mentoring teams and tasked to village AP stations... thats right, I guess they ran out of SF and decided to use the Guard...it is not a kinetic mission, just babysitting the foriegn tribal cops in the Pushtu area. I will miss toilets, cooked food, and bathing...however we my actually get relaxed grooming standards so that might be kind of cool..."
Posted by aiua (Member # 7825) on :
I guess I never saw this. Thank you, Scott. And all the men and women who have given their lives, or have prepared to give them - you I thank as well.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:Originally posted by Raia: I know I posted a little while ago, but I just recently went through and read a bunch of my old e-mails from him... it made me feel like I was in some tragic war movie... they were all like "I hope I get to meet you soon," and "another one was killed today, but don't worry about me, I can take care of myself"...
It wasn't until today, rereading this thread, and specifically this post, that this felt real to me.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
Thanks for letting us know, LVilla.