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| In loving memory from Tommy's high school classmates |
| Posted for: THOMAS LUTHER MCCARTER: |
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On Memorial Day 2003, Tommy’s high school classmates placed roses at the Vietnam Wall to remember him on the 35th year of his death. He is sadly missed by all of us.
Tommy was one of the 287 members of the Young High Class of 1964 in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was a member of the Jets (Junior Engineering Technical Society), Spanish Club, and the Jr. Red Cross.
He attended Galbraith Elementary School.
Every time our class has a reunion or a class birthday party, Tommy’s Senior High photograph is there with us in a special place. He has been gone so many years, and we miss him deeply.
Some of his classmates offer these remembrances of Tommy…
From Dennis Sherrod:
I remember Tommy. He was a good guy. I dated his younger sister for a while. He was always nice to be around. That seems so long ago! He never had a chance to get married, raise children, go to school, work for 30 years! He died in a field of mud trying to help some devil dogs! God Bless.
From Sharon Williams McCoy:
Our family moved a lot when I was in grade school. I spent the 3rd grade at Galbraith Elementary where Tommy became my sweetheart for that year. We held hands. He gave me cards at Christmas and Valentines, and those little candy hearts that read “I Love You”. After 3rd grade our family moved again. I rekindled my friendship with Tommy when we got to high school. He was a nice, kind, gentle boy who was so sweet. He came from a wonderful family with several children. Tommy talked about his family a lot.
From Nancy Smith Hicks:
I knew Tommy best when we were small children growing up in the same neighborhood. I was the only girl in my age group in the neighborhood, so I had no choice but to "run with the boys." Some of the guys could be pretty crude at times, but Tommy was, even at a young age, ever the perfect gentleman. He was always quiet, mannerly, and kind.
From Stan "Herkie" Baker:
Tommy and I were friends. I think he went to Sevier Heights Church with me and Tommy Rutherford. We used to play baseball in the side yard there and football in the fall. Tom and I were about the same size…small. I went to UT and he went into the Navy. I went 2 years later. He was sort of quite like me and did not stand out. I was in the band at Young and I don't remember him being in the band. I think we sort of drifted apart then because old V.C., the band director, kept us busy. But I remember Tommy at Galbraith.
From Phil Holt:
I wasn't close friends with Tommy, but I do remember him and can picture him in my mind as though it was yesterday. I personally know about 15 brave souls that are on that wall. The closest are Tommy and a pilot training classmate of mine. I took my son, who was fourteen at the time, to the Vietnam Memorial. Even at 14, he was awe struck at the number of names on the Wall. Even I, having seen the Wall a number of times, get emotional every time I see it.
From Robert McCrary:
Tommy was the person one would least think of as going to war. He was quiet, kind and friendly. He had no enemies...only friends. As a result, he chose to serve in the armed services as a medic and do what he could the help others. He died in the company of Marines whose lives depended on his skill and his willingness to help...no matter the personal danger. That such a person would die in those circumstances didn't make sense then...and it doesn't make sense now. It has been said that our country loses its best men in a war. Tommy is the perfect example of that sad fact. Those of us who knew him truly realize the senselessness of his loss. |
Posted by: Brenda Carnes
Email: MzBrenda@yahoo.com
Relationship: We were high school classmates
Monday, December 1, 2003
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