Posted by David Kuhn on March 27, 2017:

I submit this today out of respect for a man I never had the honor to meet, but feel as if I know something of him through these Eulogies, and how I first became aware of his existence, through "Duty First" by Ed Ruggero. It is fascinating to me how life lessons can be drawn together through such a strange way. My daughter recently accepted an appointment to West Point (class of 2021), and will report to R-Day Monday July 3rd. After learning of her nomination and appointment, I began to try and make myself as knowledgeable as one could about what my daughter is about to embark upon. I read "Absolutely American" and, in the last week, have been reading "Duty First". In "Absolutely American" there were a couple of individuals who garnered my interest, so I did some snooping on them, for further background... As I was reading "Duty First", I became very interested in Major Rob Olson, and how everyone around him seemed positively impacted by his leadership style. I wanted to explore more about Major Olson, so I did the typical online queries. That is when I learned of his passing. Again, I have never met this man, but through Ruggero's personification of Major Olson, and the reading of these eulogies, I find myself strangely impacted, on a personal level, by his passing. I hope that my daughter might encounter someone like Major Olson in her experiences at WP, or in our country's service elsewhere. I struggle with the fact that, as I read about him, it has been sixteen years since the tragedy that took him. To Holly, Brittany and TJ, I wish you all peace and continued strength after all these year's passing. God's richest Blessings to you, and to all who had the good fortune to have met this Godly man. I thank you all who were kind enough to share thoughts and experiences of this man.

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