DU beloved poster, babylonsister, consistently posted Eric Boehlert here.

[usaf-vet]

27. I apologize in advance. Maybe this isn't the exact place to tell this true story.

I am from the Vietnam generation.

I have a friend who used to do dangerous things. Fly stunt planes. Race motorcycles. Race snowmobiles. Always always pushing the envelope.

I said to him one day, "Ralph" (not his real name). Why do you do these dangerous things? You have a wife and young kids!

He looked at me and told me this story. I went to Vietnam as part of a seven-man reconnaissance team. We were always behind enemy lines gathering data on our enemies. Seven of us went, and I was the only one to come home alive. He said I decided then when "GOD" decides it is your time, it IS your time. It doesn't matter if you are sitting in an easy chair in your living room or flying stunt planes.

At the time, I had a hard time understanding or accepting that rationale. But as I got older and saw good people doing great things yet suddenly dying at a young age, my thoughts have evolved. Now, with age, I find it harder to dispute his rationale.

Eric Boehlert is the latest good person dying too young, too suddenly.

I wish his family the best and hope they can find some peace.