First Sergeant Blue Rowe

United States Army

I received word this morning that a very dear friend of my son, and former classmate was killed by an IED road side bomb in Panjshir Province, Afghanistan, on Monday the 25th of May, 2009.  This young man lived in our house during much of his high-school days, and was as good and honorable a person as anyone should ever know.

My son Chris, and Blue were best friends, and he (Blue) was as much of a member of our family as my children.  Blue and Chris thought of themselves as brothers.  Blue was one of the best young men I have ever had the honor of knowing.   His smile, laughter echoes in my mind just thinking of him.  On a long drive the other night my son and I reminisced about Blue and I listened to some of the wonderful stories that Chris shared with me about the antics the two pulled.  I would have yanked a knot in both of their tails if I had known of them at the time.  My son and Blue talked about going into the Army together on the buddy system after high school.  My son went on to college and Blue enlisted the next day out of school.  A few month later my son followed Blue into the Army, but the two never served together; Blue jokingly ragged my son Chris over this for years.   Chris joked with Blue before he left this last time that he "would be safe in the rear with the gear" as the saying goes.  Blue however wasn't that kind of a guy.  He always wanted to be where the action was, he just wanted to be where he could do the most good . . . he wanted to help those  people.  That was the kind of man Blue was.  

Blue was a veteran of the Somalia, Bosnian, as well as the War in Afghanistan, and was on another tour of duty in Afghanistan when he was killed in action.  He was a Deputy Sheriff on the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.  He was a husband, father, beloved son, and good friend to those who knew him. 

The last time I saw Blue was in July of 2008 here at my home just before he left for another tour in Afghanistan.  He was here in Siloam Springs with his young son to see family, and friends.  He was at my son's home much of the time and we talked when we could between fun, barbecue, and family.  I asked him why he was going back over there again?  He said he wanted to help the people (referring to the children, and civilians) who were suffering so badly.  That was Blue; he had a heart of pure gold, and it was big enough for everyone.  The was the last time I saw Blue before he left to go back home to California, and the own too the war.  We stood in my front yard, and I hugged him, kissed him on the cheek and looked into his eyes.  I told Blue I loved him as if he were my on son, and that I was proud of the man he had become.

"I love you to," he said giving me a big hug.  "You take care of yourself old man?" he added with a pat on my back as he flashed that big beautiful smile.  

It never entered my mind that late afternoon that I would never see Blue's smile again, hear his voice, nor share in his laughter.  Blue's life as a young man was not easy; his path to manhood was strewn with many obstacles that most people would never overcome.  There are good guys, and then there are good guys; Blue . . . . well he was one of the later.   Those who knew and loved him will miss Blue Rowe. 

Do you ever wish you had said something to someone or told them how you feel? No matter what you do, or how much time and money you spend at the grave it is too late. The time to tell someone how you feel is when they are alive.  I try not to say goodbye to anyone, because good-bye is for the grave.  Well there are things that I wished I had shared with Blue when I could.  I will not make that mistake with others in my life from this day forward. 

Blue Rowe sits at the right hand of the one true God the Lord Jehovah this day.  Have mercy on Blue’s soul Lord, for he is one of the good guys.      

 Newt

DEPARTMENT  OF  DEFENSE  NOTIFICATION

GOVERNOR  SCHWARZENEGGER  ISSUED  STATEMENT  ON  DEATH  OF  BLUE