Since Sep 14, 1998
"I want my posts to stand on their own merit. What I have done I feel enough pride in that I do not have brag about it."...
Rest in Peace, Harpseal.
Posted on 03/22/2004 6:45:43 AM PST by Lazamataz
Matt Reilly, also known as 'harpseal' on Free Republic, died on March 19, 2004.
His friend Eileen is making arrangements for a Memorial service at the local VA.
Matt was a former Navy SEAL, a keen businessman, a friend to his Walker Hound, and an accomplished sailor.
He was also my friend and my business partner. I can't barely see the keyboard through my tears. He will be missed greatly.
The tears just flowed as I read the wonderful responses he made to the questions in that interview. My prayers, and condolences, Lazamataz. God bless and comfort you, his family and friends.
Thanks for the heads-up, GeronL
Harpseal was a good solid American , served his nation and fellow man till the end of his days here on this earth. If the good lord was grading lives and the way they are lived then Matt Reilly surely recieved an A+ based on my knowledge of him that he shared and I observed. The nation is richer for having had Matt fight for it and poorer for it's loss of a fine warrior .
Stay Safe !
Harpseal was a good solid American , served his nation and fellow man till the end of his days here on this earth. If the good lord was grading lives and the way they are lived then Matt Reilly surely recieved an A+ based on my knowledge of him that he shared and I observed. The nation is richer for having had Matt fight for it and poorer for it's loss of a fine warrior.
We're not poorer. Somewhere in Navy BUD/S training right now some kid is alone, wet and cold, wonders if he's going to make it, and is stubborn enough that he will. He'll finish out his military service, maybe having a war come his way, maybe not- that's luck of the draw and timing, but either way, he'll deal with it. Maybe he'll reenlist, maybe not- he might find a good deal on a business offer, or might have a family priority come ahead of his military service, or that might not come his way- or may come after he takes a look at his military, figures it's in pretty good shape with the new boots coming in, and he moves on.
Maybe there'll be some college in there, maybe not. But Harpie would have recognized him, would have stood alongside him if it had worked out that way, or behind him by a few years, as it has in fact turned out. But Matt knows of him, and is watching out for him.
It may be that we'll lose that young SEAL too soon too, and if so, he'll have Harpseal there to welcome and greet him when he gets to That Same Place. Or maybe the Harpster will deflect a minor sling or arrow that would have otherwise gone that way, and another life will play out as full as it can, but not fearing what's beyond it, either.
There've been other good FReepers gone, and I can't help but think they've got a banner up in whatever resting spot may come next; call it heaven, Fiddler's Green, or Valhalla as you will. But I figure Harpseal will be as welcome there and fit in as well as he did when he was here with us. And I hope to see him around again someday; we shall see.
See ya around, Harpie.
FReeper JHoffa maintains it, having taken over that FR duty from MrMagoo. I've FReepmailed him, and included him with a ping to this thread.
-archy-/-
From Harpseal's Freeper profile page:
I want my posts to stand on their own merit. What I have done I feel enough pride in that I do not have brag about it.
Bravo Zulu, Brother Harpie. There was a lot of wisdom in your offerings here, and they did indeed stand on their own merit. Still do.
"I want my posts to stand on their own merit. What I have done I feel enough pride in that I do not have brag about it."...
Rest in Peace, Harpseal.
Thanks for all your wonderful thoughts and prayers. I will be sharing this with Eileen. I know she will derive much comfort out of it. It's a little early for me to be comforted, since my plans were so intricately involved with Matts and my mutual success. Now there will be a mad scramble to find a way to survive, and to eventually see if I cannot reconstitute this business Matt and I started. As you can see, I am not sleeping well tonight.
It will remain named Harp Seal Systems, in memorium of my dear friend.
I also have chosen a new tagline. I think it may be permanent.
Leave your work…I just left school
Leave your home…I am no fool
Take up arms…It left me strong
Sound alarms…The school bell rings
Join up here…I wave good-bye
We need you…Oh my breast sighs
Have no fear…Now I must try
God will be…With braver men
Take the vow…I know it's right
Praise the flag…The good fight
We're at war…I'm on my way
We will win…Why do I pray
I wait here in this hole
Playing poker with my soul
I hold the rifle close to me
It lights the way to keep me free
If I die in a combat zone
Box me up and ship me home
If I die and still come home
Lay me where the rose is sown
Sons of men who stand like gods
We give life to feed the cause
And run to ground our heathen foe
Our name will never die
This time will be forever
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