Our local paper here in Chilliwack has just started a three-part series on the soldier who had one of my whistles with him in Iraq. Here’s the link if you are interested:
http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/news/From+bhutan+baghdad/7372826/story.html
I will add links for the next two parts when they are available.
David,
As a customer of yours and a visitor to your website, I was previously aware of some of Sgt. Luneau’s story. I am very much interested in knowing more of the rest of his story. Here is a guy who like the vast majority of our military has given so much of himself on so many levels. I am glad your whistle was able to provide some level of normalcy in what was surely a chaotic world for him most of the time. I am sure that whistle was a welcomed instrument among the Fighting 69th and a symbol of the Irish heritage and influence associated with that Unit.
I recently lost two friends who had served in combat in Afghanistan. They were both brothers to each other, had served in the Navy, after their honorable discharge from the Navy, they joined the same National Guard Unit, and both subsequently became Police Officers in the same metropolitan department. They both suffered the effects of PTSD related to their combat experiences. They died four months apart from each other. One of the brothers played pipes. Such losses are unfortunately very common and extremely sad. We all need to do what we can in reaching out to those who have sacrificed so much, and lend them our support.
I don’t know if Sgt. Luneau is a member of this forum, if he is, I hope he reads this. If he is not a member, I know he would be readily welcomed and benefit from membership. I for one would love to make contact with him just to thank him for his dedicated service and to lend him my support. I hope he still plays whistle regularly and that it brings him comfort and continuing pride in his Fighting 69th. I am sure others on this forum would love to express their support for this valiant defender.
David, thank you and keep us posted on this story.
Sgt. Luneau if you are reading this, Semper Fi and thank you for your selfless service.
A Grateful American,
Cayden
An awesome story and just one of many that illustrates the extreme sacrifice and hardship endured by our warriors and their families. My salute to Sgt. Luneau for his dedicated service to our nation as a member of both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. Both Sgt. Luneau and his daughter are in my prayers and have my most sincere gratitude for their duty to country.
I commend David O’Brien for doing the right thing and supporting Sgt. Luneau with a gift of not just a wonderful set of instruments, but a gift of a magnitude that most cannot realize, a gift of some semblance of normalcy in an environment rife with chaos. It is my hope that David’s whistles continues to aid and comfort Sgt. Luneau as he transitions himself into civilian life (not an easy thing to do). I also hope that the Sarge continues to reach out to other warriors dealing with PTSD and that he finds it helps both them and himself. God knows all these warriors are deserving of peace in their lives.
Sgt. Luneau, you have my heartfelt gratitude and respect. 
Semper Fi,
Cayden