To all my readers out there who follow my website I would like to take a moment and give thanks to those who have lost their lives while defending our country. Young men and women are dying everyday to this ongoing war. Without going into politics, I just want to say that this young man will be remembered. It is so important to be thankful for our freedom and for our loved ones that are here on earth with us. You just never know when your time is up. My deepest sympathies to the family of Johnny Linde. I pray that you get through this heart wrenching time. I am so very sorry for your loss and we will grately miss him here in Pulaski NY. Here is what his best friend wrote to me in an email dated November 7, 2007. Just now have I been able to post this story and appologize for the delay.
Dawn,
This is Chris from Fort Drum. I am writing you this message and grieving at the same time. I lost my best friend in Iraq on this past Monday. He was hit by an IED. Johnny Linde has come into your shop numerous times with me, and I formally introduced you to him. He was my fishing partner for life, my older brother, and m ost of all my best friend. Someone I could talk to and get advice, but at the same time joke around and see who would catch the biggest fish. He will be truly missed and he is a TRUE HERO. R.I.P Johnny Linde
I just thought you would like to know about this....and I know how you and your fly & tackle shop support the military 100%. These are the most recent pictures I have of him. The one fish where he is standing by himself is a 22 lb Lake Trout caught in Lake Ontario NY while fishing for salmon. The other one is of him dressed in his uniform, and the other is the final day's Catch with Johnny, our other buddy Matt, and myself. If you would like to post something you can. It would mean A lot to the community of the fishing world. Also a lot of people were asking me the other day when I was down there if someone wanted to donate money to an organization for military families who lost loved ones over seas how would they do it??? Well, it's simple.....if someone would like to donate, they could donate to
www.taps.org. Click on the "donation tab" and they can put: "In loving memory of Johnny Linde". Thank you so much for everything you do down there in Pulaski, NY Dawn.
Truly yours,
Christian Grabowski
To see some pictures of Johnny Linde with some Lake Ontario NY Salmon and Lake Trout he caught this summer in August, please click here.
