An Air Force pilot and Adirondack High School graduate who recently returned from Iraq sent Paul and Theresa Oleski a touching message in tribute to their fallen son, Marine Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski.
Oleski’s father shared the e-mail from Air Force Maj. Jason Repak. A 1993 Adirondack grad and 1997 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Repak is the son of Paul L. Repak of Boonville, an engineer at the Rome Air Force Research Laboratory. Paul Oleski, of 8381 East Floyd Road, also is an engineer at the lab.
Following is the e-mail message that was sent Monday:
"Mr. & Mrs. Oleski,
I’m very sorry to hear of your tragic loss. You don’t know me, but my father works in the lab and I grew up in upstate NY to eventually join the military myself. As someone who came from a similar upbringing, I understand your son’s want and need to serve his country. I had the same yearning and drive to join something I could feel good about contributing to when I was his age.
I am currently a pilot who recently returned from flying sorties over Iraq. There wasn’t a mission that I wasn’t deeply involved communicating with and supporting the troops on the ground. I left that experience with a profound respect for the true heroes of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the guys on the ground such as your heroic son, who put their lives in harm’s way every day.
Whether they know it or not they are the backbone of everything being done over there and they are held in awe by myself and all their other compatriots in their sister services. Please accept my sincere prayers and condolences.
God bless you and your family.
Maj. Jason Repak, USAF"
