JP Blecksmith Leadership Foundation Guestbook
Bob Houseman said:
My sincerest condolences to my old friend from U.S.C. Ed. If your son was anything like his Father, he was truly a wonderful human being. Best wishes from Bob Houseman and daughter Bridgette Houseman. Also a former graduate of San Marino High School.
Most sincerely -
Nishan Partamian Family said:
Pam & Ed:
We love you and the family.
God Bless you all.
The Partamians
Theresa McCloskey said:
We have never met J.P. or any of his loved ones, but, we want to tell you how proud we are that our daughter, Frances, will be attending Flintridge Prep this Fall. What a wonderful young man was J.P. Bless you...Theresa McCloskey
Patti bader said:
Thank you so much for holding this event
Cannot wait to see you again,
Patti
Ben Van Norman said:
Ed,
Nice talking to again! I sent a picture of Jess and her son Daniel to you. We will be in touch.
Ben
Steve Whealon said:
Dr. Blecksmith family - I was directed to your web site for your son via a link on the Hugh Hewitt web site. As the father of 2 young sons ages 9 and 11, I am moved to tears as I write this, even though I have just the barest glimpse of the pain you have suffered at the heroic loss of JP. I cannot find the words to express my gratitude, so I will repeat what my hero, President Abraham Lincoln, wrote in a similar circumstance. He conveys my thoughts and feelings more completely than I ever could:
"I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I can not refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the alter of freedom." May God bless you and comfort you.
Steve Whealon
Kent, WA
M McAleer said:
Dear Mr. and Mrs Blecksmith,
You obviously did a tremendous job as parents. My father and brother were Marines and I try to instill the sense of honor and courage into my sons. President Reagan once said that unlike the rest of us, a Marine never has to wonder if he made a difference.
Eric Knirk said:
I am the co-founder of the UWSF (United Warrior Survivor Foundation)we had JP's parents as our honored guests at our charity golf tourney two years ago. I think about JP often as well as several others I consider to be in the same hero status as JP : Pat Tillman, Neil Roberts, Johnny Micheal Spann and Todd Beemer.
most of us pale in comparison to such great men our country is less with out JP. Thank you to his family for their sacrifice and for raising such a fine man.
Eric Knirk
Jim Speers said:
JP sounds like a wonderful young man. My daughter's high school lost a 20-yr old alum, Marine Cpl. Brad Arms, in Fallujah KIA on Nov 19, 2004. I had lunch with his dad last week. He is proud but still hurting. Brad was a fine young man--I an sure he and JP are together, swapping stories, in the presence of our Lord. God bless you and thank you for your son's service on my behalf.
Steven & Susan Skommesa said:
Dear Mr & Mrs Blecksmith, we heard about your son on an interview with Hugh Hewitt. We want to bless you and your family & thank you for your son's service. we are pastors of a church and will tell his story...and pray for you.
With deep respect, Steven & Susan Skommesa
Barry Griffin said:
Born to be the leader that he is. Destined to be remembered as one forever.
Nic Quinzon said:
I was led to this site from Hugh Hewitt's blog. God's blessings to your entire family, and may His Grace and Peace bring healing. Though saddened by his death, I am truly greatful for the courage JP and others displayed in the defense of our country and our way of life. Take Care.
Sincerely,
Dominic M. Quinzon
Visalia, CA
Jack Lavelle said:
I only 'knew' JP through Greg Palkot's wonderful coverage of the sweep through Fallujah on Fox. I felt horribly sad when toward the end of the report we learned JP had fallen.
It is the way of the world that we must spend great men such as JP to keep our people free and safe.
But it will be a better world when it is no longer necessary.
Sarah Kidd Miller said:
I often see hummingbirds and each time I am reminded of JP (thanks Alex). It reminds me to live life to the fullest each day. JP was such an extraordinary human being - such a person leaves a deep impression on those he meets. Thank you for your legacy JP!
Dan Davis said:
As a teacher at Rio Hondo Prep and the public address announcer for football and basketball the past 26 years or so, I immediately recalled the names of J.P. and other Flintridge grads serving in the military. I took time out in the Fall of 04' during class to alert Rio Hondo's students to the news of J.P.'s death in combat. This past Memorial Day my thoughts drifted to him and his parents, even though I don't know them personally. A small, non-denominational church of about 400 members meets in worship every Sunday on Rio Hondo's campus in Arcadia, and the minister oversees a program of lay speakers who take turns giving the main sermon. I have been selected to speak on July 2, and feel a tremendous pull to say something about J.P. and all our servicemen in harm's way; July 4th weekend is a perfect time to do so. I plan to attend the 5K walk and will encourage some of my students to join me.
Sincerely,
Dan Davis
Rio Hondo Prep
Arcadia
Amy S said:
The first thing I thought of when I heard of Al-Zarqawi's death was JP. I know that horrible man was causing throuble in Fallujah, especially when JP was there. We celebrate his death and we honor JP's courage and leadership every day and especially on a joyous day today. I miss you Jaeps.
Pete Noel said:
This is my first visit to the website, and I think it's a great memorial. I first met JP at Summer Seminar back in June '98. We were roommates for the week. Even then, he was already dedicated to learning everything he could about the Academy. He's probably the only person I know who was studying Reef Points a year BEFORE Plebe Summer. We didn't really keep in touch after that week, and I didn't see him too much once we showed up as Mids. I'll never forget him though, and I still wear my JP patch every day (I'm in the same squadron as Ali Sposato). Just wanted to say hello and that I hope to meet you someday soon, maybe at the next 5K.
Drue Lawlor said:
I happened to meet JP's Dad at the San Gabriel Cemetary last year when I was visiting my parents' gravesite. In talking to him, it turned out that JP died on my mother's birthday, so I felt a special connection. I also learned that he had met the President and was so proud to serve this country. On Memorial Day, after I visited at the cemetary again (my father was a WWII veteran), I stopped to visit JP's grave also --- though I never knew him, I wanted to thank him for his supreme sacrifice. As I was leaving, I saw his dad ride up. Then today, as I was on my way to vote (next to the cemetary), I happened to hear Hugh Hewitt mention JP Blecksmith --- so he keeps "appearing" in my life and that sent me to the website to learn more about this very special young man. I know this is long, but I have wanted his family to know that he holds such a special place in the life of someone who never knew him. How proud I know you are, and what a very special family his must be.
Lois Gareis said:
It was a boring Friday, our slow time here in the Football Office. So I decided to look over JP's website to see if there was anything new. I started at the first picture in the gallery and went through them one by one, remembering JP as a player who I saw every day on his way to meetings (along with Ron Winchester.) Then I got to the last one, I believe taken in Hawaii when we played there in 1999. JP and Ron standing together as brothers, and with Billy Hubbard, Hoot Stahl and Ryan Hamilton, with Diamondhead in the background. So moving, so touching. I think of those 2 boys and their sacrifice every day. I keep all of you in my prayers.
Lois
Navy Football
Al and Donna Checca said:
This Memorial Week End we thought of JP and his family. We will forever be grateful and never forget. Thank you.