Friend of Fallen Marine: "Worst loss I've ever experienced"

By By EVAN WHITE

Story Created: Apr 9, 2009 at 3:17 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 9, 2009 at 5:08 PM EST

 

HOLLAND PATENT, N.Y. (WKTV) -Lance Corporal Blaise Oleski was killed by small arms fire Wednesday in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

According to the Department of Defense, Oleski was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Friends say it was his second tour of duty in the Middle East.

Oleski, a 2004 graduate of Holland Patent High School was a wrestler, later a Marine but friends say as a person he was much more.

"In the truest sense, Blaise was a friend," said Trevor Hiffa, a friend of Oleski's. "Eeverybody remembers him as a Marine...as a wrestler...a great kid. But he was just one of the best people you would have ever met, and I just don't think I'm ever going to find that."

Oleski was part of the 2004 Holland Patent Tri-Valley League Champion wrestling team. Oleski's former coach, John Richard, credits Oleski's hard work with helping him form a strong program.

"He was a coach's dream," Richard said. "He would do everything that you wanted him to do."

Billy Allen, a former classmate says the loss is deeper than immediate friends and family.

"It's surreal for a lot of people," Allen said. "It's just...it's a terrible thing that 'shappened. In a small town like this, everyone is effected. Everybody knew him. Anyone that didn't know him knew he was an awesome person."

Ironically, Allen has enlisted in the Army Reserve and says he'll begin training in August.

"I felt like I had to do my part in putting forth an effort to make this country a better place ," Allen said. "And this was my way to do it."

Oleski's body is expected to return to U.S. soil tonight at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Funeral arraignments for Lance Corporal Blaise Oleski have not yet been finalized.

 

Lance Corporal Blaise Oleski with friends

 

 
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's On