One of the old school Democrats has died:

WASHINGTON (AP) – A spokesman says Democratic Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a retired Marine Corps officer who became an outspoken critic of the Iraq war, has died. He was 77.

He had been suffering complications from gallbladder surgery.

In 1974, Murtha became the first combat veteran of the Vietnam War elected to Congress. He wielded considerable clout for two decades as a leader of the House subcommittee that oversees Pentagon spending.

via Rep. John Murtha of Pa. dies at 77.

I intentionally left out the negative stuff about the man. Because I happen to believe that one must not speak ill of the dead. John Murtha was, of course, a Democrat. But he was also a Father, Husband, Brother and more importantly; a Marine.

Politics is one thing, real life is another; and today a family is grieving. May the hand of the Almighty God be on his family and may he comfort them in their time of loss.

Rest in Peace and Semper Fi Sir. God Knows, you have earned it.

As much as it annoys me to have to say it. If you come here and leave some sort of idiotic comment, I will not even approve it. There is a time and a place for political commentary; and believe me, I already see it starting in the comments section on other blogs; this is just simply not the time for that sort of a thing. At least not today.

Update: Looks like his death was due to some Medical Malpractice: (H/T AllahPundit)

The 77-year-old Democrat underwent scheduled laparoscopic surgery to remove his gallbladder at Bethesda Naval Hospital last Thursday but then, after his release, sought care at the Virginia Hospital Center over the weekend.

The congressman’s spokesman declined to say Tuesday what led him to be hospitalized again. But responding to questions Wednesday, he said that Murtha was in stable condition. Two persons said it appeared Murtha’s intestine had been cut inadvertently during the gall bladder removal.

Update #2: More on Murtha’s Military Record: (Thanks to AllahPundit)

He entered the Marine Corps in 1952, during the Korean War period, and served until 1955. He returned to Johnstown to run the family car wash and finish his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1962, and he joined the Marine Corps Reserve. During the Vietnam conflict, he volunteered for combat and served near Da Nang in 1966 and 1967.

In 1955, he married Joyce Bell. She survives, along with their daughter, Donna Murtha ; twin sons, Pat Murtha and John M. Murtha ; and three grandchildren…

Rep. Murtha, whose military decorations included the Bronze Star and two awards of the Purple Heart, was one of the first Vietnam veterans to sit in the House. His district returned him regularly to office, and after 10 years, Rep. Murtha had quietly established himself as a key Capitol Hill player who could woo lawmakers of divergent views to join forces.

and:

Military service was in Murtha’s blood. He said his great-grandfather served in the Civil War, his father and three uncles in World War II, and his brothers in the Marine Corps.

He left Washington and Jefferson College in 1952 to join the Marines, where he rose through the ranks to become a drill instructor at Parris Island, S.C., and later served in the 2nd Marine Division.

Murtha moved back to Johnstown and remained with the Marine Reserves until he volunteered to go to Vietnam. He served as an intelligence officer there from 1966 to 1967 and received a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

Indeed, he was one hell of a man. He was a Democrat; but he was a Marine. That ends all criticism in my book. Especially now that he is no longer with us. He fought for what he felt was right. I did not always agree with it. But I respect anyone who will put themselves and their careers on the line to stand up for what they believe in. Which is more than I can see for some of the idiots in the Republican Party. (Bush being a FINE example of this….)

Update #3: For once, some class in politics: (H/T Malkin)

RUSSELL ASKS FOR PRAYERS FOR MURTHA FAMILY

Announces a Moratorium on Campaign Media Efforts

(JOHNSTOWN, PA) – Responding to the sudden and unfortunate announcement of the death of Rep. John Murtha (D-PA-12th), GOP challenger William Russell has asked all citizens, Republicans, Democrats and Independents to come together and pray for Joyce and the Murtha family as they deal with the tragic loss of husband, father and grandfather. “While Mr. Murtha and I were political combatants in every sense, our family and campaign team asks you to keep the Murtha family in your thoughts and prayers,” said Russell. “Regardless of your political position, you always knew Jack had an immense love and loyalty to his family and the residents of the12th Congressional District.

The Russell campaign is immediately initiating a moratorium on all political media activity for the next five days in respect of the passing of John Murtha. The campaign will also remove all political references to Mr. Murtha on the Russellbrigade.com website immediately.

It is the wish of the William Russell for Congress Committee, that the passing of Mr. Murtha be treated with the utmost respect and decency by all…

Others on ALL sides remembering Murtha: Gateway Pundit, Michelle Malkin, The Eye, Political Insider, Hot Air, Mediaite, skippy the bush kangaroo, Mudville Gazette, Indecision Forever, The Moderate Voice, Shot in the Dark, Sister Toldjah, theblogprof, POWIP, Raw Story, The Reality-Based Community, culturekitchen, Runnin’ Scared, TalkLeft , Outside The Beltway, Washington Monthly, Real Clear Politics, RedState, National Review Online and The Corner on National …, The Note, Alan Colmes’ Liberaland, Left Coast Rebel