SOCNET

Go Back   SOCNET - The Special Operations Community Network > Legacy > Members Who Gave All

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19 April 2017, 01:35
MacDuff's Avatar
MacDuff MacDuff is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Frankfort, KY
Posts: 844
Hognose aka Kevin O'Brien

I just saw this posted. I know a lot of you all enjoyed reading Hognose's writing as much as I did. He'll be missed.

I’m sorry to have to tell you all that my brother Kevin O’Brien, host of this blog, passed away peacefully this morning at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

Let me start with some housekeeping. First, the email address hognosecommunity@comcast.net remains active and you may get more and better updates there. I say this because frankly I’m having trouble posting here. I don’t know Kevin’s WordPress password and I’m afraid that if I restart his computer, I will not be able to post any more because the password will not autofill. Therefore I can’t guarantee I will be able to make more updates on the blog.

We are planning a celebration of Kevin’s life for all of his friends some time in early to mid-June, here in Seacoast NH. I will have details in a couple of days. All those who knew and loved Kevin, including all Weaponsman readers, are welcome, but we will need an RSVP. Again, I will make details available to those who write to hognosecommunity@comcast.net. This is not restricted to personal friends of Kevin, but space will be limited, and we will not be able to fit everyone. It will be a great opportunity to share memories of Kevin.

We will be looking for stories and pictures of Kevin! Please send to the email address.

I expect that some time after the celebration, I will be shutting down the blog. No one other than Kevin could do it justice.

Finally, you should know that Small Dog, whose real name is Zac, has found a home with other relatives of ours. Of course the poor guy has no idea what has happened to his beloved friend but his life will go on.

Now I’d like to tell you more about Kevin and how he lived and died. He was born in 1958 to Robert and Barbara O’Brien. We grew up in Westborough, Mass. Kevin graduated from high school in 1975 and joined the Army in (I believe) 1979. He learned Czech at DLI and became a Ranger and a member of Special Forces.

Kevin’s happiest times were in the Army. He loved the service and was deeply committed to it. We were so proud when he earned the Green Beret. He was active duty for eight years and then stayed in the Reserves and National Guard for many years, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2003. He told me after that that Afghan tour was when he felt he had made his strongest contribution to the world.

Kevin worked for a number of companies after leaving active duty. He had always loved weapons, history, the military, and writing, and saw a chance to combine all of his interests by creating Weaponsman.com. I think the quality of the writing was what always brought people back. Honestly, for what it’s worth, I have no interest in firearms. Don’t love them, don’t hate them, just not interested. But Kevin’s knowledge and writing skill made them fascinating for me.

Kevin and I really became close friends after our childhood. We saw each other just about every day after he moved to a house just two miles away from mine. In the winter of 2015, we began building our airplane together. You could not ask for a better building partner.

Last Thursday night was our last “normal” night working on the airplane. I could not join him Friday night, but on Saturday morning I got a call from the Portsmouth Regional Hospital. He had called 911 on Friday afternoon and was taken to the ER with what turned out to be a massive heart attack. Evidently he was conscious when he was brought in, but his heart stopped and he was revived after 60 minutes of CPR. He never reawakened.

On Saturday, he was transported to Brigham and Women’s where the medical staff made absolutely heroic efforts to save his life. Our dad came up on Sunday and we visited him Sunday, Monday, and today. Each day his condition became worse.

As of last night, it was obvious to everyone that he had almost no chance of survival; and that if he did by some chance survive, he would have no quality of life. Kevin’s heart was damaged beyond repair, his kidneys were not functioning, he had not regained consciousness, and he had internal bleeding that could not be stopped. We made the decision this morning to terminate life support.

I’m not crying tonight. I got that out on Saturday. What I feel is a permanent alteration and a loss that I know can never be healed. I loved Kevin so much. He was brilliant, funny, helpful, kind, caring, and remarkably talented.

At dinner tonight, we agreed that there are probably many people who never “got” Kevin, but there could not be anyone who disliked him. Rest in Peace.

Please feel free to express your thoughts in the comments and to the hognosecommunity@comcast.net email address.
__________________
Drinking from a firehose...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 19 April 2017, 01:59
BionicDamien BionicDamien is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Montana
Posts: 340
RIP hognose. All the prayers.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 April 2017, 04:25
Hot Mess's Avatar
Hot Mess Hot Mess is offline
In Vino Veritas
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Where you vacation
Posts: 18,064
Fuck, RIP RLTW/DOL
__________________
Come on boys, you got to do it right, pray to the moon in the middle of the night
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 April 2017, 04:28
CDRODA396's Avatar
CDRODA396 CDRODA396 is offline
BTDT
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Raeford, North Pineland
Posts: 2,456
Rest In Eternal Peace and Honor Warrior.
__________________
"You cant walk on water if you dont get out of the boat," the Infamous Mike Brown

"The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm." CR
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 April 2017, 04:53
Ole crusty bastard's Avatar
Ole crusty bastard Ole crusty bastard is offline
Authorized
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Port Charlotte FL
Posts: 6,534
Rest easy.
__________________
...when in doubt...over prime.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 April 2017, 05:11
Fubar Fubar is offline
On the Extract Bird
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Fork Ranch
Posts: 3,460
Well that sucks. RIP Hognose.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 19 April 2017, 05:36
Gray Rhyno's Avatar
Gray Rhyno Gray Rhyno is offline
Authorized
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NoVa
Posts: 13,522
Damn. RIP.
__________________
"The most HSLD stuff ever taught was the basics. So-called 'advanced training' is often no more than the very fluid and expert application of those basic skills." - SOTB
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 19 April 2017, 05:39
HighDragLowSpeed's Avatar
HighDragLowSpeed HighDragLowSpeed is offline
Been There Done That
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Only Place For Me
Posts: 6,519
fuck.

RIP, brother. Hope you are sharing your keen insights with others at the table in Valhalla.
__________________
I've reached that age in which I try to avoid strange women and temporary variables

God made machine language; all the rest is the work of man.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 19 April 2017, 06:30
Tracy's Avatar
Tracy Tracy is offline
Been There Done That
 
Join Date: Feb 1997
Location: West
Posts: 12,195
Rest in Peace Hognose. See you in Valhalla. DOL!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 19 April 2017, 06:35
Forestboy Forestboy is offline
Authorized
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Overseas/Upstate
Posts: 4,572
R.I.P. Hognose....
__________________
The more people I meet, the more I like my dog.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 19 April 2017, 06:50
Silverbullet's Avatar
Silverbullet Silverbullet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: The Beach
Posts: 19,637
I wish I had linked up with him on his last road trip up this way.

RIP Brother.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 19 April 2017, 07:05
SF_BHT's Avatar
SF_BHT SF_BHT is offline
Been There Done That
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Escaped from the islands!!!
Posts: 2,479
RIP Brother...
__________________
BTDT Just marking time to Retire again....
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 19 April 2017, 07:05
Ranger Manges's Avatar
Ranger Manges Ranger Manges is offline
Been There Done That
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: looking for a place that sucks
Posts: 3,168
R.I.P.
__________________
"Poor is the nation that has no heroes, but shameful is the nation that has heroes and forgets them."

Rules of the Regt
If it makes sense....don't do it
If it tastes good.....spit it out
If you think you're going the right way........turn around
This place sucks.....let's live here
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 19 April 2017, 07:08
8654maine 8654maine is offline
Rage against the machine
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Maine
Posts: 6,314
RIP brother.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 19 April 2017, 07:24
B 2/75's Avatar
B 2/75 B 2/75 is offline
Old Scroll
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Black Mountains
Posts: 10,985
Rest in Peace. We'll link up at the Rally Point one fine day.
__________________
"To the last I grapple with thee; from hell's heart I stab at thee, for hate's sake I spit my last breath at thee"
Melville / Captain Ahab
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 19 April 2017, 07:28
Justaclerk's Avatar
Justaclerk Justaclerk is offline
Drawing my cutlass
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: South Florida
Posts: 10,271
I'm grieving the loss of my best friend. I'm glad we spent some time together recently. See you soon, brother.
__________________
Quote:
Death is a farcical pile of bullshit.

I refuse to participate.

The Oatmeal
Quote:
...it could be raining pu$$y and troops will complain and blame the leadership for not providing an equal ration of a$$holes

Billy L-Bach
Quote:
In Special Forces we had a saying: "Work hard in silence, let your success do the talking."

Tracy
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 19 April 2017, 07:38
gavin's Avatar
gavin gavin is offline
Unemployed Stunt Double
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Intermediate Area
Posts: 7,083
Rest easy, brother. Thanks for all you did for me,
__________________
Life’s barely long enough to get good at one thing. So be careful what you get good at.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 19 April 2017, 07:59
The Fat Guy's Avatar
The Fat Guy The Fat Guy is offline
Hard to Kill
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: On 2 wheels (Maybe 3)
Posts: 17,310
Rest Peacefully, Brother. You will be missed.
__________________
No one will take better care of us, than us: Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” - G. Orwell

The chair is against the wall, the chair is against the wall.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 19 April 2017, 08:00
hile hile is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Feasterville, PA
Posts: 855
RIP, Hognose. DOL
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 19 April 2017, 08:23
Mars Mars is offline
Living The Grunt Life
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Vagabond
Posts: 10,387
Rest In Peace, Warrior! You will be missed!
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 19 April 2017, 10:13
sixgun's Avatar
sixgun sixgun is online now
Been There Done That
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The end of innocence
Posts: 4,584
RIP Warrior.
__________________
"Gravity is a cruel mistress!"
NSDQ-SGDM
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 19 April 2017, 12:19
Purple36 Purple36 is offline
In Limbo
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 9,360
RIP. Too many losses.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 19 April 2017, 16:28
24/7's Avatar
24/7 24/7 is offline
Been There Done That
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Living on the lake---finally.
Posts: 4,485
RIP
__________________
We don’t derive our purpose from our work, we bring our purpose TO our work.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 19 April 2017, 08:26
KidA KidA is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: WbyGV
Posts: 17,407
RIP Brother.
__________________
[SIZE="1"]Hey homo, its me -- Andy/SOTB[/size]
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 19 April 2017, 08:29
Godzilla's Avatar
Godzilla Godzilla is offline
Been There Done That
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: In a Laboratory
Posts: 1,808
Rest in Peace. Thank you for your service. You will be missed.
__________________
Here's to nipples...without them, titties would be pointless

A problem shared is a problem ridiculed
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 19 April 2017, 09:08
JAFO's Avatar
JAFO JAFO is offline
33,024 - R.I.P.
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Music City
Posts: 4,473
RIP Hognose. I enjoyed your take on things. You will be sorely missed here. Say hello to Heaven.

Mac...PM inbd
__________________
"Until Jesus gets into the gun business, there will never be a perfect gun.” - Will Larson (iraqgunz) RIP.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 19 April 2017, 09:14
mdwest's Avatar
mdwest mdwest is offline
exquisitus asinus
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: here
Posts: 7,631
Hate to hear this.

RIP Hognose.
__________________
"I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, you know" - Ernest Hemingway
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 19 April 2017, 09:25
DevilDawg's Avatar
DevilDawg DevilDawg is offline
Adding Chlorine
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Houston Way North, TX
Posts: 1,028
Rest In Peace Hognose
__________________
It must be a blessing to some that stupidity isn't painful...


Not As Lean, Not As Mean, Still A Marine
YAT YAS
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 19 April 2017, 09:45
CPTAUSRET's Avatar
CPTAUSRET CPTAUSRET is offline
BTDT
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Iowa City, Iowa...
Posts: 10,467
He lived an admirable life, and served his nation proudly. He exemplified those virtues found in the SOF community.

He will be missed.

God Bless.
__________________
"IF THOU STRIKETH THE KING, STRIKE NOT TO WOUND":
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 19 April 2017, 10:49
MixedLoad's Avatar
MixedLoad MixedLoad is offline
Been There Done That
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: US
Posts: 10,836
He will be missed. My condolences to all.

Rest in Peace, Kevin.
__________________
“Suaviter in modo, fortiter in re"
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Our new posting rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 15:32.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
All Rights Reserved SOCNET
© SOCNET 1996-2023

Top