SFC Matt Blaskowski

Hope the attachment went on here...this is a solid wooden memorial carved by a local woodcarver. Awesome work. This is in front of Matt's dad's auto repair shop.

 

This is a repost from Matt's brother...I'm going to go tomorrow and gets some pictures of it. It all started off as one big stump of wood....a local guy carved it with chainsaws, and hand tools. It's been covered by a tent for the last 3-4 weeks...it'll be awesome to see it up close.

 

Very Nice Piece!:S! SFC!!!!!!

 

Thank you for your sevices SFC Blaskowski and may you rest in peace! My heartfelt condolences to the family! I hope they will find the strength to cope with their loss!

 

Tried to upload photos...turns out iPhones don't react well to being dropped in the snow and then being stepped on. New phone arrived today...I'll try not to break this one and get some shots up tomorrow. Met the guy that carved it by chance at work yesterday...shook his hand and told him how much the memorial meant to this town...he was very humble and said it meant a lot for him to be asked to do it. Good people...they are out there.

 

Here are the pictures of the wooden 173rd carving...taken from my phone so they aren't the greatest.

 

Happy Birthday, kid. You're getting old. That carving at your dad's is getting some attention, even made the front page which I know you'd hate. ******* birds were tough this year, bro. Dogs couldn't get on them, I shot wild and crazy. I miss the hell out of you, Matt. We talked about those times when life would have us down...it's unfair that you aren't here anymore. I want to be mad, but at who? Happy Birthday, bro.

 

A beautiful memorial, Luke. Both the carving and your memories.

 

Excellent work on the memorial, Luke. It is indeed a fitting tribute.

 

Shooting skeet, Matt. Remembering some funny times. Auto thrower almost broke my damned shin today. Did three rounds at the state range. We did ok...24/25, 23/25, and a 25/25. We are looking forward to fall in Wyoming. Looking forward to the birds. I'll bring you some talisman. Spring is here, brother. The woods are waking up and coming alive...it's almost perfect.

 

Found that damn Lake 22 again, Matt...ducks! Jesus the ducks. I am working up a 4-5 decoy spread and I think we'll kick 'em down this fall. I feel like I'm in a Townes song when I think about you. It's high time I come up and see you, kid.

 

Thanks for whatever that was today, Matt. First time in my life I've ever been caught in a rainstorm while busting skeet and kept shooting and didn't miss. Gotta get ready for Wyoming and the birds. Dogs are ready. Guns are ready. We are ready. I dropped off a bag of grouse feathers, stuck it in an empty shell. That'll be a hoot to someone. Damn it

 

I'm here early. Happy Memorial Day, kid. We'll be up to see you tomorrow...kiddos have some things for you. I'm bringing some shells and grouse feathers again. I need your luck this year. I feel like I'm going crazy sometimes talking to you in the internet! Jesus Christ I miss you.

 

Enjoy the talisman, kid. I didn't shoot the grouse, I hit with my car. But who else has a grouse foot clutching a shotguns hell? Nobody in your neighborhood. It's a mess right now. You've been gone a long time, brother...summer time, where is the lake and the beer? Where is that sandbar and the broken down boat with the engine that was apt to catch fire? Where?

 

It's our time to shine, kid. Shot my first goose...you got the feathers I hope. Grouse starts Saturday. I don't know what I'm doing here...where the hell do I go? Almost five years seems impossible. I talk to you on the internet....I'm almost for sure going crazy. Wyoming soon....I took a month off, I may not come back. Sold all the guns but shot guns, sold the boat, sold the truck, quit the job. Sold the book too. Hope it wasn't too early. ******* it.

 

You'll never believe it....I shot a ******* deer today. Opening day, archery. I don't even deer hunt. I went out just because...that old ass Bear recurve. 5 point...he'll probably put 110 pounds in the freezer. I leave for Wyoming on the 10th. Funny. I'll leave ya some horns. Your spot is starting to look like the Lost Boys all the damn things I'm leaving there. I don't know what else to do with it all. I won't be coming back, kid....I've sold it, gave it away, or packed it up. It's a shame about the marriage but how could it ever really work? It couldn't. Not with the way thing are now. For the best, the kids stay here. They'll come see you. It's all I have.

 

It's different here. Internet is spotty as all get out. Shot 5 birds today like it was nothing. It was almost perfect. Going to head into the mountains. Maybe we come back maybe we don't. Bison. Antelope. Elk. It's a paradise. Deep pockets and shallow ambitions right now. Sold ALL the guns but the bird guns, and that one rifle. You know it. We're rolling now kid.

 

Spent 6 days in the mountains. Stupid camp...a hammock, couple tarps, and hopes of warm nights. It was cold...I loved it. The fire was big. Squirrels on a spit. Laughing memories. Feel like this was the best choice. I miss you.