this thread actually makes me sick.

_________________
one day, I swear, I'll finish the goddamn bug costume

Care to elaborate on that ? In what way ?

_________________
SFC
Michael Larson
Minnesota-USA

A03/TQ1.0.92141E1

yes i would like to know that as well...

_________________
Pfc Glenn Allen ,
1st Batt. 69th Regiment,
Homers Hero's..
Drops so Far.... 29 and counting

I think he means in the way that Chris' not being here makes him feel bad..as it does me..I have all these things around me that remind me of Chris daily...ie my desk top is a memorial to Chris, and I have the sketch that he and I got done together sitting here also..and the fact that I cant call him up every two weeks now to BS about our projects just makes me tear up at times..I do still long to hear his laugh and his voice


Derek

_________________
Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

I was there at his side when I could in ICU and was there at his viewing, I live it everyday when I talk to Joy and when I visit her. My pain hasnt ended. There was only maybe 8 people that made it there and I wore my USCM t shirt since it was informal and nobody knew what it meant I had to explain. The prayer I read on behalf of all you guys was something Dom chose it was the prayer from Alien3.

You're sick, me and Joy are still living it every damn day...

_________________
If you can't eat it, drink it, smoke it or jump it....RUN!!!

Here's a news flash for you all and trust me it is not meant in disrespect. You knew Chris far more than me and I lived 15 minutes away, and now he is gone and I find that all of Chris' friends were her friends, she lived her life thru chris and now he is gone, and I have to help her out as best I can and I am a piss poor person to depend on but I will I swore to chris I would.

But guess what guys, reality sucks. Reality is trying to piece together what's left. Reality is waking up and trying to pay the bills with one income. Reality is waking up to an empty house. Reality does not revolve nor care how many memorials are paid to those who have left us nor what kind of plans are laid. Reality is a vicious bastard. Reality is what is going on now and does not revolve around Dragoncon or any of the boards nor any of us. It's a day to day process just like for all of you.

All I can say this is do something to honor Joy, she has more than enough memorials to chris she loves all of them and loves all of you for thinking of him but she is sick to her heart reading them. Think of her and not as Chris' wife. He was your hero, he was Joy's life.

Scott

_________________
If you can't eat it, drink it, smoke it or jump it....RUN!!!

And you think we don't know this?


Derek

_________________
Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

Enzo,
Not quite sure where you are going with that. Kind of like preaching to the Chior.

Life Goes on. Life finds a way.

Lived through some pretty crappy days...losing my brother 2 hours after I spoke on the phone with him was one of them.

Going to the funerals of 2 of my former students who paid the ulitimate price for freedom were some others.

Life goes on.

I was speaking to Chris years before he got into Marine costuming. He was one of the nicest "strangers" I have ever spoken too. He is missed.

We just have to honor him, remember him in our own way. I think what Dom did/is doing is great.

Joy does too. You helping her is huge. Thanks.

Steve

Did some poking around here on the board, checking for all posts done by FNG & found his photobucket site. Nice to see a few of me. I'm totally honored. I really like this one of Chris & Derek at Dcon 06.



Go check it out. I highly recommend it. It will put a smile on your face. It put one on Chris's.

Mike

_________________
There is nothing more impressive than a bloody big Alien wiggling on the end of a sharp stick!

Way to go Mike! Thank you for that post! It was watching that picture being taken, and then Chris walking over to me and saying something like: "C'mon, aren't these great? You gotta get one."

And of course, I walked right over and got one done. I remember sitting in the chair as the artist worked and Chris giving me a big smile and thumbs up!

Enzo, we feel your pain. As we are all a great distance away, we are not able to be there. Several of us were however, planning flights to Denver to be there for Chris's memorial. Due to it happening so fast, we weren't able to make it.

From the West Coast, to the Midwest, to Canada and the East Coast, we were coming to be there for Chris and Joy.

Living in the empty house has to be hell for poor Joy. It is damn heartwrenching to come home to be alone. I can only imagine how horrible it is for her.

Don't think that none of us have experienced the loss of loved ones.
We miss them. We miss Chris. We feel Joy's pain and wish we were able to be there to console her.

_________________


USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

Same here actually.
Same here... I'm honoured to have had some effect if at all on this man who I greatly admired and cherished.

We all have to remember that nobody has the same way to deal with our pain caused by the loss of our friend... some want to commemorate, some want to move one, some still can't place their feelings...

I prefer to remember as much as I can... and mentally prepare myself for what will probably be a bitter-sweet DCon this year.

yeah I know don't claim to have a monopoly on pain but it just blows every friggin day man. I'm not exactly the best one for the job I don't think Chris would care for me going thru his life but once again I have to step up and help. Til the end of my days if needed.

Preaching to the choir.... yeah I guess I was. Apologies.

_________________
If you can't eat it, drink it, smoke it or jump it....RUN!!!

Also should apologize if anyone was offended by my rant no offense was meant . Everybody has to figure a way to carry on but I think Dom was right I havent found it yet.

_________________
If you can't eat it, drink it, smoke it or jump it....RUN!!!

Only 8 people made it to Chris' viewing?

Jesus.

_________________
"Awww, someone tell me that's a boot!

It's a boot!"

III drops

Rex & I were ready to go. Unfortunately, Chris was cremated less than 24H after his death was pronounced... so this gave us very little time to make this trip, let alone prepare ourselves for it.

Same here..I was prepped to go..but with it being so soon after and my wife already overdue and having some labor pains, I was unable as well..


Derek

_________________
Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

Still, you'd think a guy like Chris would have had more people show from his area.
This is Chris we're talking about, not some poor guy living on the streets!

Geez, 8 people.

Was the weather bad or anything like that?

_________________
"Awww, someone tell me that's a boot!

It's a boot!"

III drops

I'm not sure if this is an American thing but what's a viewing exactly?

Harry

_________________

http://www.facebook.com/TheHHACA - @TheHHACA

Harry,
After a person passes Harry, many people have a wake...kind of like a last time to say goodbye to the person. They are laid out in a casket...people can come up and pay thier final respects.

It varies from religion to religion, but its basically the same idea.

Steve

Yes only eight showed up mainly neighbors and Joys boss and a few of her co-workers.

Also apologies to all for previous rant. Some people drink and drive I tend to drink and type and think I'm writing prose and it's drivel.What I wanted to convey was WAY off somewhere in there I got angry about something.

What I would like to know is this: Is there anybody out there that knew Chris and Joy from way back before or around the time they got married? I ask at this time because I am trying to find out if she had any hobbies or anything. She is very down about facing all the quiet time and asking her about hobbies etc the answer is that Chris was her life his hobbies were her hobbies.

I'm thinking there was something I know she likes to read mysteries and road trips. Dom maybe you know? Anybody got ideas PM me. Science fiction is out right at the moment I tried to take over 300 and it turns into a movie that Chris might have liked it and she didnt want to watch it.

Also all please nothing to Joy I am just trying to get ideas and am not interested in geting her upset. I'm just trying to help her get some confidence in herself. I dont want to know anything personal.

Scott

_________________
If you can't eat it, drink it, smoke it or jump it....RUN!!!

And as to the amount of people that showed up well he never sold his kits in colorado because of the hassles with sales tax and I was one of the fortunate few who had access to his world. 8 was it weather was good. I don't understand it either but evidently that was either his or her wish, who was I to judge.

_________________
If you can't eat it, drink it, smoke it or jump it....RUN!!!

Thats okay Scott..this is a pretty tough topic for us all still...as far as any of us knowing Chris that far back, I don't think so. We all pretty much knew him through this hobby. He never mentioned much about Joys hobbies to me, and we had some deep conversations at times throughout the years..all I know is that she would answer the phone for him for his business..kinda like his Administrative Assistant...so, yeah, he was pretty much her world.


Derek

_________________
Cpl D. Smith CMD
A04/TQ1.0.62147E1


RIP Pvt. Chris Chulamanis A14/TQ4.0.66993E7 You are missed.

I think that's why I went into a rant I cant seem to find anything else besides diving and the USCM it is getting sort of discouraging for me at least.

Best way to tell if I am loopy if I string more than 2 messges in a row somebody PLEASE SAY SOMETHING. Because drinking and typing can be just almost as dangerous and I seem to be prone to it lately a lot.

If I can't spell it's something else but we won't go there.....

_________________
If you can't eat it, drink it, smoke it or jump it....RUN!!!

Car was gased up and ready to go

_________________