Sad News

[CaptainCourtesy]

What with Inferno hospitalized and struggling, it is with great regret that I must inform DP of the passing of one of our long time veteran posters. cherokee has died.

Some of you know that cherokee had suffered a severe diving accident about two years ago. Apparently, that accident caused a cerebral (berry) aneurysm which, from what cherokee told me, was mostly inoperable...or if it was, there was a near 100% of death during the operation. cherokee opted to not take the risk and to live his remaining days to their fullest...ballooning, fishing, and travelling. He and I had been DP friends since I came to DP; about 3 months ago, when he told me what was happening, he let me know that he had mentioned me in his will, and that when he died, someone was to log on as him and PM me that he had passed away. I received the PM at 1 AM this morning.

cherokee will always be remembered here as a staunch defender of the military. He was also a fearless defender of his friends here at DP. If someone messed with or insulted a friend of his, you could be sure that he would slam them. He was also very quick with humor, and, when it came to military, Iraq, or ME issues, a very fomidable debater.

My fondest memory of cherokee is when, jokingly, after a long day of moderation, I gave he and Vader some e-napalm to firebomb the Abortion Forum. They never did, and I haven't seen the e-napalm since. I'd ask him about it every once in a while. I suspect that he hid it somewhere. :mrgreen:

I am keeping cherokee's account open and I would like to encourage folks to post their wishes, memories, and condolences there...as well as here. Let his Visitor Message board stand as a memorial to him. I told the person who contacted me (his nephew) that I would do so. Let me also advise that if ANYONE defaces that board, they will be hit with a 10 point Don't Be A Jerk infraction. I will not take that lightly.

So...to absent friends. cherokee, always proud of being a Marine.

Semper Fi.

See you in the next life, my friend.

 

[Sergeant Stinger1]

I was proud to serve with you Cherokee.
RIP my Marine brother.
Semper Fi.

 

[aps]

Oh, I feel so sad about this. I hope his wife is okay. This would be one of the worst blows that could happen to me--no matter how much I knew the likelihood of this result. Thanks for the information. I am happy that he did go out there and really live his life. May he rest in peace.

 

[Tashah]

Rest in Blessed Peace my beautiful Dreamer.

Semper Fi.

 

[Moon]

Very sad news, indeed. RIP.

 

[Shayah]

Rest in Peace my beloved Devil Dog.

Semper Fi

 

[Blunt]

I offer my condolences to his family and his many friends Here on DP

What is dying?
I am standing on the sea shore. A ship sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. She is an object of beauty and I stand watching her until at last she fades on the horizon, and someone at my side says, 'She is gone' Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large in the masts, hull and spars as she was when I saw her, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to its destination. The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, 'she is gone' there are others who are watching her coming, and other voices take up the glad shout, 'there she comes' - that is dying. Bishop Brent

Semper Fidelis

 

[Gardener]

R.I.P Cherokee.

This place lost one of the good ones.

 

[winston53660]

...........

 

[Real Korimyr #9]

He will be missed.

To absent friends. *raises glass*

 

[WI Crippler]

Semper Fi my brother. You will be missed.

 

[tumbleweed]

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. My condolences to his family and friends.
I didn't know Cherokee but I can relate somewhat to his passing as I have a friend on here struggling with health issues also, so I realize how sad this news can be.

 

[celticlord]

Damn shame.

Semper Fi.

 

[SgtRock]

Rest in Peace Cherokee, you will be missed bro.

"Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines."

Semper Fidelis

 

[Goshin]

He was an intresting poster, and I regret that his life was shortened this way. At least he finished his race in the way that he wanted, doing the things he enjoyed doing.


RIP and Semper Fi, Cherokee.

 

[bhkad]

God bless you, cherokee.

 

[Vader]

What with Inferno hospitalized and struggling, it is with great regret that I must inform DP of the passing of one of our long time veteran posters. cherokee has died.

Some of you know that cherokee had suffered a severe diving accident about two years ago. Apparently, that accident caused a cerebral (berry) aneurysm which, from what cherokee told me, was mostly inoperable...or if it was, there was a near 100% of death during the operation. cherokee opted to not take the risk and to live his remaining days to their fullest...ballooning, fishing, and travelling. He and I had been DP friends since I came to DP; about 3 months ago, when he told me what was happening, he let me know that he had mentioned me in his will, and that when he died, someone was to log on as him and PM me that he had passed away. I received the PM at 1 AM this morning.

cherokee will always be remembered here as a staunch defender of the military. He was also a fearless defender of his friends here at DP. If someone messed with or insulted a friend of his, you could be sure that he would slam them. He was also very quick with humor, and, when it came to military, Iraq, or ME issues, a very fomidable debater.

My fondest memory of cherokee is when, jokingly, after a long day of moderation, I gave he and Vader some e-napalm to firebomb the Abortion Forum. They never did, and I haven't seen the e-napalm since. I'd ask him about it every once in a while. I suspect that he hid it somewhere. :mrgreen:

I am keeping cherokee's account open and I would like to encourage folks to post their wishes, memories, and condolences there...as well as here. Let his Visitor Message board stand as a memorial to him. I told the person who contacted me (his nephew) that I would do so. Let me also advise that if ANYONE defaces that board, they will be hit with a 10 point Don't Be A Jerk infraction. I will not take that lightly.

So...to absent friends. cherokee, always proud of being a Marine.

Semper Fi.

See you in the next life, my friend.

R.I.P. Cherokee!

Semper Fi!

You are gone but I swear on my honor you will never be forgotten.

:memorial_

 

[hiswoman]

Rest in peace, Cherokee.

Semper Fidelis

 

[DeeJayH]

onward to the Great Battle in the hereafter
Cherokee, you will be missed. Hope you days will filled with joy and your death quick and painless

1 last time "I salute you" you honorable old dog

 

[aps]

I have really surprised myself in how heartbroken I feel over Cherokee's death. I cried when I read Captain's initial post. I cried in the middle of the day. I'm crying now. I really don't believe in an afterlife, but I hope he knows (and his wife) how much we are going to miss him.

 

[CaptainCourtesy]

I have really surprised myself in how heartbroken I feel over Cherokee's death. I cried when I read Captain's initial post. I cried in the middle of the day. I'm crying now. I really don't believe in an afterlife, but I hope he knows (and his wife) how much we are going to miss him.

I kinda felt this was coming over the past week. No idea why or how. When I got the PM, I took about an hour or so to figure out just how I wanted to tell the forum and word things. cherokee was very well-liked here. If anyone dared attack someone he had befriended, he would go nuclear on them and never let them forget that they had insulted his friend. One of the most loyal people I've met on this site.

I am in contact with his family...his nephew who sent me the initial PM. He informed me that his wife will be contacting me, shortly. They are hoping that viewing his Visitor Board and seeing how much he was cared about will be helpful to her. I will be PMing him a link to this thread, also, so she can view it.

 

[Dr_Patrick]

R.I.P. cherokee

We didn't see eye to eye on many issues, but you were an absolute joy to debate and talk to. You will be missed.

My condolences to his friends and family.

 

[Arch Enemy]

Truth be told I did not know Cherokee from my time as a moderator on this forum. When I popped back he was the first to tear into me, not in the civilized way, but because I probably said something that got to him to another member on this forum he went, as CC says, nuclear.

I started ignoring him and went on about my posts. I did not know of his condition until he posted for the last time, and part of me did not believe him until this thread. Alas, everything makes sense in time.


The final messages between Cherokee and I (PMs) show his class and what these forums meant to him; it proved that he wanted to make sure the people of the forums whom he might have nuked (whether for wrong or right) that it was not a personal gesture. Here are the final messages between him and I... a true showing of his character.

You and I have torn into a few times, truth be told it was fun.
Anyways just to let you know if I've ever gone overboard I apologize.

Sir,
This board is about battling with words, and regardless of how harsh and brutal it is I have nothing but the utmost respect for the people willing to duke it out. There is no need for an apology, but thanks.

Jeff

Thanks

 

[jallman]

Cherokee was one of my best friends on this forum. I remember the first private message he sent me so long ago, telling me how he had never had contact with anyone who was gay but that now that he had talked to me at length, his mind had been opened. From that point on, we kept a steady dialog going in which he would share his fishing stories and I would share my hunting stories from Alaska. He loved his boat and he loved the water...we had PM exchanges that went on for 30-35 messages over two days back and forth about his boat, his wife Koi, and his nephew, all of whom he loved very deeply.

He asked me for my address one day and I gave it, thinking he was adding me to his Christmas card list. A week later, a package arrived with a letter and shirt he had picked up from me in the Bahamas. I wear that shirt now with pride that such a dynamic personality full of passion and grit had taken an interest in me and my life the way he did. We lost one of the good ones this weekend and he will be sorely missed.

Cherokee, wherever you are now, know that I love you, bro. Find that sweet fishing spot and keep a cold one in the cooler for me when I get there.

 

[ReverendHellh0und]

Damn....


Godspeed Brother, in your next journey an mission, I know you lived a life many would envy, and I for one, Having never met you in person, will always remember you as a brother, and friend.....


I will be flying Cherokee's colors in my avatar for the next 30 days in his honor. I invite all who wish to do the same.....

Damn..... We a few of us vets here at my home tonight will be breaking out the Macallan 18year for a drink to a fallen brother......


Godspeed sir, God Speed.....


“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” - Theodore Roosevelt