Olympic Swimmer heading to BUD/s

This is very cool. If you saw the 4x100 medal ceremony, then you saw Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps, and Jason Lezak carrying a flag from ST-3 (SOTF-W) after winning the Gold (Phelp's #8). The flag was sent to Larson Jenson by the men of SEAL Team Three, and it flew above Camp Shane Patton in Fallujah.

The following is an email from Larsen - written immediately after his 1500 in which he took 5th, followed by a letter to the American Public. This man would make a great SEAL...which is exactly what he intends. He has orders to OCS then to BUD/s this fall.
Mark

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email from Larson:

I just received the flag from the men in Iraq. The flag and the accompanying document choked me and my teammates up. We feel very privileged to receive such a gift. (It's probably the most meaningful thing I have ever been given.) Please pass along my thanks to Camp Shane Patton in Fallujah. Thank them for protecting us--and freedoms that have lead to Team USA's success. I hope that they are enjoying The Games so far....we are doing our best to make them, and all Americans, proud.

Best wishes from Beijing,

Go USA!

Larsen Jensen & The U.S. Olympic Swimming Team
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Letter from Larson to the America Public:

Subject: Re: Awesomeness

To all of my family, friends, supporters and Americans who I have never met:

Thank you for all the support that you have given Team USA and me. We have all been incredibly honored to represent all of you at the 2008 Olympic games. It has been a dream come true to reach the pinnacle of sport success and each of you should consider yourselves a part of that success. I can't thank each of you enough….

Today I swam my final race and it was a tough battle. Unfortunately, I finished out of the medals….. My good friend and training partner Ous Mellouli won the event and I couldn't be happier for him. He truly deserved it and I look forward to congratulating him personally.

Our final award ceremony today finished the way it started—with the playing of the United States National Anthem. I began to get choked up. I was choked up because I understand what our flag and our anthem represent. It represents freedom and opportunity. Freedom to pursue any dream—and the opportunity to make that dream a reality. Mine have become a reality, and our team is proof that America is great—and always will be.

A few days ago I received an American Flag and accompanying Flag Citation from Navy Special Operations Task Force – West, Camp Shane Patton, Fallujah, Iraq. I was hoping to personally carry that flag around the pool; but that wasn't in the cards. However, that flag was carried around the pool by Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps, and Jason Lezak for the awards ceremony of the 400 Medley Relay. They are great Americans and they carried that flag to make all of you proud—they did a damn good job.

This team has made me proud by their grace in victory and poise in defeat. A man could never ask for a finer group of men and women to be associated with than our USA Olympians.

It has been an honor to represent The United States of America….I will never forget this experience and I will never take it for granted.

Thanks again America for your support. I, and all US Olympians, look forward to coming home to the land of the free—and never forget WE ARE THE HOME OF THE BRAVE.

Regards,

Larsen Jensen