Another Passing

[fred]

As I was celebrating the victory of the New York Giants last night, my phone rang. It was Bubbabod... he told me Phil Solla had just died.

Phil was one of the 5 fellows I met this past summer in Montana (he's the short guy on the right in Treasuredude's avatar). He was also the one who put together our "tour" with Richard Fox and he was the one who kept our little 7-man e-mail group clicking. He was funny, he was smart, and most of all he was a real New Yorker. The Giants were his "guys."

He loved talking about the Little Big Horn and our e-mail group was his "boards." Like so many of us, Phil was emphatic in his opinions, but he would always listen and he was a loyal friend, opinions aside. I met him, somewhat circuitously, through Perry Baker. And through Perry, I wound up in the John Stewart "fan club," or maybe just the group of fans who loved John Stewart's music. John died the day before Phil.

And so, Phillip, now you know what happened to George Armstrong Custer and five lost companies of the Seventh Cavalry. If ever someone could have found the answer, it would have been you. I only wish you could have found out a bit later.

I shall miss you... you were a good friend. No... you were a dear friend. The next toast is for you.

With humblest and best wishes to all,
Fred.

[bubbabod]

As Fred mentioned, Little Big Horn history buffs have lost another friend with the passing of our friend, Phillip Solla. A good friend of Phil's called me yesterday evening to let me know what few details were known, and it was as much a shock as hearing the news of our other friend's passing two years ago, Perry Baker. While Phillip was strongly opinionated, he knew his LBH historyand was a good friend. It was through him that I and my friends were lucky enough to have met Richard Fox and gone into the field with Rich following Custer's trail.
Phil, we're gonna miss you.

[elisabeth]

Sorry to hear this. My sympathies to all his friends.

[Treasuredude]

I just want to jump in here and say how sorry I was to hear of Phil's passing. I was shocked to hear the news when Fred called me last night. PJ arranged the tour with Fox for us and came on the trip even though he had been having trouble with his health. He had a heavy New York accent and a way of saying things that just made you laugh.

Phil, Perry, Custer, and the others are probably hashing this all over.

RIP Phil.



Phil is on the right in the white hat.

[fred]

... and to slake the curiosity:

Fred... FullSail... Max... Treasuredude... Bubbabod... and our friend.

And just to add a couple more for the memories:



"I don't know about that, PJ. The Giants in the Super Bowl... ?"



Bloody Knife and P. J. Custer... showing off some gam.

Best wishes,
Fred.

[Montana Bab]

Very sorry to hear the bad news, but I'm so glad that you fellows all had that wonderful trip to remember him by.

Sincerely,
Montana

[Melani]

Sorry to hear it. I remember his posts on this board.

[El Crab]

I will miss my friend Phil.

Here's a pic of myself, Rich Fox, Gary, Frank, Perry and Phil in the approximate spot of the 1919 Crow's Nest photo. One of the best times of my life, seeing the battlefield (and the Seventh's path to it) with Fox and the gang.



And no, we weren't at opposite ends due to our hats. Dodgers and Yanks, living together, mass hysteria.

[Diane Merkel]

CRAB!!!

I've missed you, and it's great to see you here again. Don't be a stranger.