THE WALL OF FACES

Thomas is buried at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury or Laurelton, NY.

Dear Uncle Tommy-
Although I never got to meet you, it is now when our country is at war again that I think of you so often. I know that you are missed by all. You will always be a hero in my eyes! God bless!

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Thomas Joseph McElynn, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and your most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Marine, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you LCPL Thomas Joseph McElynn, for a job well done!

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND

I was in Mrs Smith's 2nd grade class at St Mary Magdelene when we were told that Thomas was killed in Vietnam. I shared that class with his brother, Kevin. I remember him leaving the the room repeating over and over, "My brother is dead!" At that age, the war became real and the numbers of the dead on the evening news now had weight. I can't say I remember Thomas but the loss on the face of Kevin stays with me.
My 23 years in the Marine Corps are marked repeatedly by that memory....he's the only one I "knew" lost to that war and I still wish that it wasn't so.

I REMEMBER GOING TO ST. MARY MAGDALENE'S WITH TOMMY. OCCASIONALLY, HE, HIS BROTHER, LORRY, AND SISTER WOULD COME TO OUR HOUSE FROM SCHOOL FOR LUNCH. HE ONLY LIVED A BLOCK AWAY.
GOD BLESS YOU TOMMY.