Two we have lost.

[ronpaulhawaii]

I've been making big personal changes that will be changing my activism, but first I gotta write something I've put off cause it is so damned depressing. In the thick of things we lost two strong activists and for me, personal friends.

RIP - Tony Bellanti and Brandon Landau

People who have watched "For Liberty" should remember Tony.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s320x320/538377_2025985625614_1723244593_1012494_348210099_ n.jpg

He was the "driver" on the Walk 4 Freedom, "I'm not a walker, I'm here to support the walkers", Long white hair... A stalwart. One thing many people might not have known about Tony was that he was an early adopter of the "take the party back" crowd. He continually helped (young) people get involved in GOP politics and begin the process we are seeing played out so successfully today. A true "winter soldier", this guy just plowed ahead. AdamT has some good clips of him in action...

He went to get a back problem looked at and they found cancer. He left us shockingly fast

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/425443_340398912669222_100000973479823_984759_1220 554849_n.jpg

His last wishes included Ron Paul to visit WI and maybe a chance to talk to him. While he didn't get a chance to see the rally, I'm sure found out it was coming when Ron Paul called him one night :D. Funny that the same day both the Governor and a Senator had called (yes, he was that active), but all Tony could talk about was Dr. Paul calling... He lived and died a happy man and passes on in good conscience. God speed, my friend (and I don't doubt you're helping still)

While Tony's passing was sudden, Brandon's was tragic.

Brandon Landau was one of the early NYC Liberty HQ volunteers. 18 years old, heading off to college in the fall, his youthful energy and good natured passion was inspiring and everpresent. Always ready to show up and "do something"

Tabling in Union Square:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/284993_2000934510724_1464403978_32011955_5307625_n .jpg

Door knocking in NH:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/284416_10150332586467953_663957952_9322543_2016746 _n.jpg

doubled up phoning
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/377989_2482354785930_1464403978_32305780_576866936 _n.jpg

and helping greet Obama to a NYC fundraiser:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/384153_2577785091628_1464403978_32347433_942390789 _n.jpg

He had really been inspired by what we all had done in 08 and was stoked to be a part of it. On the day he left for college he swung by and called me down to the street to say goodbye and introduce me to his father, (who did not really support RP, but did support his son) He left and organized the local students for Ron Paul. He got on PfH and spent time in the call center on breaks.

Then we get a call... Frat party... No funny business... Found in nearby creek... Tragic.

I made it to the wake. Was crowded, he had touched a LOT of people in his short life. His mother and father was so glad we had come and the arrangements reflected how much the r3VOLution was a part of his life. In the casket was his backpack with his buttons, and on top of the main picture board, above all, was his Ron Paul sign. Even in death the kid was turning votes... RIP, my friend.

And the moral of the story is that life is uncertain. Don't put off to tomorrow and all that. For certain we have lost two walkers, (not talkers) and maybe a few of you will see this and get inspired to pick up the slack a bit.

Press On!

[Danke]

Wow, didn't known Tony was sick. What a great guy.

[sailingaway]

Thank you for telling us. They are truly inspiring, both of them.

[MelissaWV]

Amen.

[sailingaway]

Michael, if I put this on the front page I would butcher it, I am terrible with pictures. Could you take a stab at it?

[Delivered4000]

Rest in peace

[goldwater's ghost]

Very sad. My prayers go out to their families

[CaseyJones]

:(

[zHorns]

Sad news. :(

[ronpaulhawaii]

Michael, if I put this on the front page I would butcher it, I am terrible with pictures. Could you take a stab at it?

arrgghh... too damned depressing... hell, I almost put it in OT...

[sailingaway]

arrgghh... too damned depressing... hell, I almost put it in OT...

OK. I thought maybe their families might like knowing how many people care. But maybe it isn't a good idea.

[WilliamC]

D.A.M.N. sorry to hear this.

Mortality sucks, and having to suffer is worse.

[tod evans]

RIP

[CaptainAmerica]

when I think of how people have passed away ,cause we all know at least one person who was here in 2008 campaigning that has passed on...I think of the quote from Blade Runner "All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain". Life seems to get to me sometimes in the aspect that it is always changing and that not one moment is like the previous, and that people will always move on as travelers in time...drifting apart and new ones coming together...,some pass on while you are on your own path through life. This just reminds me again of how life changes and is full of surprises.I wish people could live long happy peaceful lives,but thats not how things are all the time for everyone.Moments in time are definitely lost, but not forgotten.These people are wonderful people for taking part in something that only few were willing to take part in and for good reasons and may they rest in peace.

[ronpaulhawaii]

OK. I thought maybe their families might like knowing how many people care. But maybe it isn't a good idea.

and you're probably right, is a tough one...

[Paul Fan]

Thanks for posting. Inspiring - yet depressing - yet inspiring. A good push to be more active.

[kathy88]

So sad. I'm so sorry for your loss, Michael and ours.

[heavenlyboy34]

RIP :(

[JebSanderson]

D.A.M.N. sorry to hear this.

Mortality sucks, and having to suffer is worse.

Mortality just gives us something to look forward in the eternal afterlife with Him, which I'm sure they are both enjoying :)

[Bastiat's The Law]

Tear jerker of thread, but we remember our own.

+rep

[jmdrake]

Ah geeze man. I come online and get happy seeing that we finally win a state to the point that the media can't lie and say we lost it, and then I read this. :( Anyhow, thanks RPH for posting this anyway. It is important to mourn the loss of family.

[MelissaCato]

Sorry to hear. RIP.

[lib3rtarian]

RIP to two great guys.

[Paulatized]

I'm glad they knew the about the truth of liberty and were able to fight for it in their life time. It was such a noble cause and they both have left a worthy legacy in that regard.

I will until my last day be thankful that Dr. Paul persisted in spreading the message of freedom and because of him four years ago I came to know that truth. I feel like we were kindred spirits in the manner that those who recognize the value of freedom share a common bond.

I am sorry for these two freedom fighters the movement has lost and will pray for their families. May they rest in peace.

[itssimplyjeff]

can we get a pitch in to send their family flowers?

lets show them that we care. im in for 10 bucks if Anyone wants to organize it..

[coffeewithchess]

Thanks for sharing this. I have always wondered how many RP/liberty supporters we have lost along the way, and I'm glad to see somebody take the time to share a little bit about these two.

[kathy88]

can we get a pitch in to send their family flowers?

lets show them that we care. im in for 10 bucks if Anyone wants to organize it..

I think a better use of a chip in would be a "Liberty Scholarship" fund in their names or something.... One to an older person, one to a younger person? Award it at the festival in Tampa in memorium????? I'm off the cuff here...

[Lord Xar]

:-(

Very lame news and very hard steps to follow for soldiers in the liberty revolution. I will try to up my game.

[MrDauven]

Awful... RIP
Best of wishes to their family and friends..
Too bad they never saw Ron Paul become president :(

[eleganz]

Their sacrifices and hardworking will be continued through us. I'm now inspired even more


Let's win it for our fallen brothers!

[muh_roads]

What actually happened at the frat party with the other kid?

[VAMole]

What actually happened at the frat party with the other kid?
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1785614622/5-face-alcohol-charges-after-Wesleyan-student-dies ... such a shame.

RIP.

[FSP-Rebel]

True Patriots never really die as long as those of us still around have fond memories of them. RIP

[Henry Rogue]

Very sad, my heart goes out to Their Families.

[jdcole]

RIP Brothers. Gone but not forgotten.

[PierzStyx]

My favorite poem for times like this. So much so I had it read at my mother's funeral:

"The Day Is Done" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

The day is done, and the darkness
Falls from the wings of Night,
As a feather is wafted downward
From an eagle in his flight.

I see the lights of the village
Gleam through the rain and the mist,
And a feeling of sadness comes o'er me
That my soul cannot resist:

A feeling of sadness and longing,
That is not akin to pain,
And resembles sorrow only
As the mist resembles the rain.

Come, read to me some poem,
Some simple and heartfelt lay,
That shall soothe this restless feeling,
And banish the thoughts of day.

Not from the grand old masters,
Not from the bards sublime,
Whose distant footsteps echo
Through the corridors of Time.

For, like strains of martial music,
Their mighty thoughts suggest
Life's endless toil and endeavor;
And to-night I long for rest.

Read from some humbler poet,
Whose songs gushed from his heart,
As showers from the clouds of summer,
Or tears from the eyelids start;

Who, through long days of labor,
And nights devoid of ease,
Still heard in his soul the music
Of wonderful melodies.

Such songs have power to quiet
The restless pulse of care,
And come like the benediction
That follows after prayer.

Then read from the treasured volume
The poem of thy choice,
And lend to the rhyme of the poet
The beauty of thy voice.

And the night shall be filled with music
And the cares, that infest the day,
Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away.

[A. Havnes]

I'm so sorry for the loss. Things like this touch me very deeply, and I'm at a loss for words right now.

[georgiaboy]

Very sad. Condolences to the family and friends.

[bunklocoempire]

Thank you for posting RPH. Life is indeed fleeting.

My eternal thanks to the families who share their moms, dads, sisters, brothers, grandmas and grandpas with this cause.

Posts like these make it all pretty obvious how blessed we are to have such dedicated folks in this movement.

[Dark_Horse_Rider]

Their spirits live on

and as some posts above suggest, are more than likely still striving for liberty

blessings and inspiration for these intrepid men

[VictorB]

May both these men rest in peace. There efforts were not in vain.

I didn't know either but I remember Brandon posting the picture of him going door to door in NH. I may only know the people on here by their SN or pictures, but everyone in this fight for liberty is family. Stay safe.