Mike Vanderboegh.

Mike died a little while back.  Everyone knew it was coming.  That never braces you for the actual loss.  Better than sudden death?  Perhaps.  But it's the separation laced with grief that hits. 

So many have written so much, I waited to add my 2 cents.

If you don't know who he is, go to Sipsey Street Irregulars.  I've got button here to the right to take you there.  That will explain far more than I ever could what Mike was about.  It's being continued by his son Matthew, a real chip off the block.

I wouldn't say I was a bosom buddy, but I knew him.  We had met face to face, spent time together with others and supped.  I am proud he included my quote at his site.  It concerns bit by bit and fighting an enemy that never sleeps by learning to sleep less.

He was one of the most erudite people and insightful historians I ever knew.  We conversed about history here and there, not always agreeing on every point.  And that was good.  Mike didn't like bobble headed yes people and neither do I.

Many still seem surprised he was a former communist.  He woke and his mind and conscience made up for it by knowing firsthand what collectivists do and think.

And he was so on target that he had plenty of enemies.  ''You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.''  Winston Churchill summed it up.

He called a spade a spade and did not suffer fools.

Hope his enemies and ours don't rejoice too much.  The fight for Freedom goes on.  It indeed will never sleep.  We carry on, not just in Mike's name, but for the sake of the Republic.  We're all in this together.  We must each do our part, shoulder some of the burden.

I won't say rest in peace.  I have a hunch he's in the army of Light and his spirit will continue to inspire.

Get busy.  There's plenty of Freedom fighting to go round.