THE WALL OF FACES

43 YEARS AGO YOU MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.REST IN PEACE THOMAS.

Rest in peace with the warriors. (Photo Credit: Mark Bell)

Thomas is buried at Genesee Cemetery, Genesee, Potter County,PA.

I served with Tom during the short time he was in the field prior to his death. He wasn't with us long enough for me to get to know him very well. I helped the medic, the LT, and another squad leader keep Tom alive while we waited for a dustoff, so the memory of Tom's death has been with me since it happened.

There were a lot of heroic actions the night Tom was killed. Without regard for their own safety, guys started feverishly chopping a hole in the canopy so that the dustoff could lower a litter to us. One of our guys climbed up into the very top of the tallest tree so that he could hold a strobe light up above the canopy to mark our position. We used every available light source so that we could see what we were doing as we worked on our fallen brother. Unfortunately he died on the way to the hospital.

For 25 years I couldn't remember his name. I searched old letters I had written home and through documents that I had saved. Then when the internet came along, I started searching it for clues. Finally a friend pointed me to a web site that helped me identify Tom.

I have a dedication on my web site to Tom and other friends that I lost in Vietnam. My web site is at http://anoslack.com.

Tom, I apologize for the time it took me to find you. I never forgot you.

No Slack and welcome home, Brother.

As a fellow Buckeye, I say "THANK YOU"

As a Veteran, I say "JOB WELL DONE"

As an American, "YOUR DEATH WAS NOT IN VAIN"

And as a Believer, "YOUR SPIRIT IS ALIVE--AND STRONG"

Again, thank you for your valiant and courageous service, faithful contribution, and most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours! ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND