Eagan Marine killed in Iraq
Reporters and photographers are packing into the living room of Gwen and Wayne Olsen's up-scale Eagan house looking for reaction to the war death of their 20-year-old son Daniel.
Just 24 hours earlier two Marines accompanied by two members of the Eagan Police Department were here breaking the news.
Now the family is seated side-by-side on the couch for a news conference; Gwen, Wayne along with daughters Shaina and Shelcy.
Amid the clicking of camera shutters the questions start coming; "what were you told about Daniel's death?"
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"What are your favorite memories?"
"Did he ever play practical jokes?"
Gwen and Wayne share stories and concede, it's all happening so fast.
"It really has not sunk in yet. I mean. Probably the fog we're in is a blessing. On top of that just our belief in heaven and that we will see him. "
"I think that would be my response. We're a strong faith community and so we trust in the lord."
"I mean I believe God knew the number of his days before he was born and I'm thankful for every day we had him and I am thankful for the memories."
The Olsen's say their son wasn't necessarily comfortable with a lot of attention. They talked to him on the telephone less than two weeks ago.
"He wanted us to send Captain Crunch and goldfish and chips," Gwen says.
During the conversation they say Daniel expressed confidence in his unit of Marines which they say made them less worried about his welfare in Iraq.
Wayne Olsen says the Marines told him and Gwen, Daniel died in Al Anbar.
"The told us that he was shot in the back with small arms fire while on patrol and that's probably about it. I read the medical report and he was wearing full armor, so I don't know any more than that.'
Daniel, they say, was something of an introvert. He liked playing video games and eating pizza with his friends. He was also active in church life and taught Sunday school.
"He was a very caring person, maybe hyper-sensitive, so those are the kinds of memories I have of him -- his sensitivity to others," Wayne says. "He was always involved with young children at church and they loved him and so it's that kind of an image that I recall."
"Another just thing about him is if anyone called and asked him to do something -- if it was get a mouse out of their trap -- he would be over there ina heartbeat. Anybody could call him about anything and he would do it," Gwen adds.
The Olsens say Daniel began expressing interest in the military as a high school student. His father and grandfather had served and he liked the idea as well. Gwen and Daniel's sister, Shelcy, think it had something to do with the camaraderie and anonimity of the service.
"He grew up in a house full of girls. I think the 'Band of Brothers.' He was always going home with friends for the weekend. He had a lot of really good friends there," she says
At Eagan High School, where Daniel Olsen graduated in an accelerated program in 2005, principal Polly Reikowski remembers him as a good student.
"I'm looking for a drum line picture is what I'm doing here and for a band picture from when he was a freshman. I think this is him right here. This little guy in the percussion group."
Reikowski says when she heard what had happened, she called the family and offered to help in any way she could.
"His mom is very sad but also very numb, I think. (She's) having a hard time believing this is true, having a hard time believing she's not going to wake up and find a different answer. She said it was rather chilling to see the Marines and the police arrive at her home. She knew right away that something terrible was going to be in the news," according to Reikowski.
Reikowski says she expects the Olsen family's close connection with the school will bring them many supportive well wishers in the coming days. She hopes will ease their burden as they await the arrival of their son's body.
Gwen Olsen says the pictures and memories are comforting.
"I just like everybody looking at him. It makes me feel good. Everyone remembering him or meeting him."
