I have read all of these postings, and as someone who worked with Patrick for his last two years in the military, both at Fort Drum and in Afghanistan..I would like to believe that whoever was responsible will be brought to justice. I also would like to comment on some of the "conspriacy theorists" in this thread. First, Rust's roommate WAS given a lie detector test, which he passed. I know this because he was beside himself after being questioned as though he did anything more than befriend a peer that didnt want to live in the barracks any longer. FOIA request through CID would confirm that he was given a test and was EXCLUDED as a suspect. Also, the SSG (Army acronym for Staff Sergeant) was the most impacted by this event, so to even elude that he was anything outside of "extended family" to Patrick is completely insane. He followed the directive given by the CDR, 1SG, CSM, LTC...I think thats enough command directive to satisfy the biggest sceptic. He also was the one who entertained all calls, in the middle of the night as well as gave his heart and personal time to searching for Rust's remains and once found, escorting him to Dover...where he stayed for the duration, so that Patrick was not alone. There is no "cover up" on the military side. There was nothing done that was not within protocol. What there was/still is...is a small group of leaders and Soldiers who despirately wish for an answer and to know that their friend did not die in vain.
My final point, the one that angers me most...is...under SGT Rust's SGLI (life insurance)...he stated that he did not want his mother notified of his death and he named his father as his next of kin. Why is it that ANYONE should have the right to negate his wishes?
Please do not take me as a crass person, I also am a mother and come hell or high water, I would want answers...but to attack, accuse and make reference to the GOOD people, who were there on the banks of the Black River, at the Dexter Dam, calling ANYONE we could find, searching fields off the word of psychics and crying deep tears of remorse at the sad news; why attack them? We lived through this and still to this day all remain extremely close after losing a member of our "military family".
I pray that whoever was responsible come forward or get caught in some way or another, but please...keep to the facts. If there is a question of the facts, well, Rodney and Judy were given our numbers and contact information. We would all give ANYTHING to help them, just ask...dont accuse!!