Sgt Grit Marine Forums

proudCOmom m USA Becky Bailey CO 2182 Posts Posted - 09/22/2003 : 09:18:56 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- April 20, 1980 March 23, 2003 Oh, how I remember you growing up so fast. A mischevious boy who could always find some some fun. How I remember the times we scolded you for trapping all those frogs and scaring the girls to death. Our summers were filled with the joys of your youth. The places we saw with you at our side will never be lost in our memories of you. And Tommy....You were the best darn snipe hunter of the bunch. You grew into a man full of honor, dignity and purpose. Our pride cannot be contained. How safe I felt, as fire came close last summer and I knew we would be OK....We had the Marines stationed at our home....How dare a fire come close to us. We all came together on April 10, 2003 to honor the Man, the Marine and the American that you grew in too. Our hearts busting with pride as we rejoiced in You Dear Thomas. America rejoiced in pride. You are our hero and we will never forget you. You will always be close by in our hearts and in a smile as we remember The Man, The Marine and The American Lance Corporal Thomas Jonathan Slocum Semper Fi Our Faithful Friend With all my love forever Tommy.....I will see you again one day Love Becky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by - proudCOmom on 03/14/2004 17:32:39 sgtfrocksgirl m USA 18 Posts Posted - 09/22/2003 : 10:01:45 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am sorry. May he rest in peace. Semper Fi. What I have with him is worth it. It is worth every lonely night, every tear I cry from missing him, and the pain I feel from not having him close. It is worth it because he is my one and only. When I picture myself years from now, I see only him. No matter how painful distance may be, being without him would be worse. Semper Gumby! ~Alicia~ SGTDUDE m USA Brandon Evans CO 1517 Posts Posted - 09/22/2003 : 13:16:23 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Becky, As before, There are no words that come close. Maybe I can get a few of us CO Marines together soon. If not, I wouldn't mind a late summer ride to the hills. Brandon Fish tremble in my presence......or is that laughter..... proudCOmom m USA Becky Bailey CO 2182 Posts Posted - 09/22/2003 : 13:31:41 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What a great idea! We would love to offer up some food and drink to some great Marines!!!!! Let's plan it! Becky Yucca-Man m USA Jim 'm' this... Ft Collins CO 5728 Posts Posted - 09/22/2003 : 19:34:00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks Becky; outstanding tribute to a fine Marine. Semper Fi, Jim Langdon Sgt, USMC 1988-2000 6521 IYAOYAS Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. B. Franklin Wm. R Miller Jr. SgtMaj of the Board USA William. Great Bend KS 15591 Posts Posted - 09/22/2003 : 19:57:00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Damn Good Tribute, Ma'am! Semper Fi, "Huey Bubba & Co-bro" n/a deleted 218 Posts Posted - 09/23/2003 : 07:11:06 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Beautiful, Becky; I'm sure Chesty has already proudly welcomed young Thomas; upstairs now with all his fellow heroes. God Bless, airdog TWA800.com Velcro m USA Bill Unicoi Tennessee 2823 Posts Posted - 09/23/2003 : 07:16:12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Semper Fidelis to one of us, who's made the journey ahead of us. Velcro gonefshn m USA Steve Somewhere in the World 2901 Posts Posted - 09/23/2003 : 19:59:43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Tribute Becky. Semper Fi, Gone Fishn' Elite Dogg m USA 2/4 Marines, 3/6 Marines, DON Graham NC 2372 Posts Posted - 09/24/2003 : 04:01:35 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, a great tribute, Becky!! He is with all of our Brothers & Sisters who have gone on before us!! One day, we all shall meet again, and until that day, they will live through us and will never be forgotten!! He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened. He who conquers others has physical strength. He who conquers himself is strong. Bud Ralls m USA Bud N.J. 1394 Posts Posted - 09/24/2003 : 12:33:13 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yes, a great tribute.... The impossible is done with the Lord's help and a few Marines! RedPatcher0481 m USA Ronnie TX 1182 Posts Posted - 09/24/2003 : 13:12:54 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks Becky, awesome tribute Semper Fi Ronnie DumbGrunt m USA Tracy Milliken Colorado 1659 Posts Posted - 10/08/2003 : 02:35:35 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Semper Fi Marine! "Marines die, thats what we do!" churchman m USA Gregory Oklahoma City Oklahoma 393 Posts Posted - 10/09/2003 : 08:05:49 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Semper Fidelis to our fallen brother. "American by birth, Marine by choice, and Saved by the grace of God." Cannonball m USA Roy Cannon Murfreesboro TN 1718 Posts Posted - 10/09/2003 : 15:18:42 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Becky, I missed this when you first posted. The picture and your words say much more than anything I could add. A fitting and outstanding tribute. Semper Fidelis Roy RichLundeen m USA Rich Longmont CO 3053 Posts Posted - 10/12/2003 : 22:40:33 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Very nice, Becky. I'm so glad to have met you and Terry. Semper Fi Rich Catz1611 m USA Catherine Oceanside California 2369 Posts Posted - 10/24/2003 : 10:47:54 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by Cannonball Becky, I missed this when you first posted. The picture and your words say much more than anything I could add. A fitting and outstanding tribute. Semper Fidelis Roy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- and me..I'm just slow to post sometimes. Ditto what Roy said though.. Batgirl m USA Bett 1200 miles too far west... CA (but only until the end of the year!) 2042 Posts Posted - 10/24/2003 : 16:34:49 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Becky- Earlier this week I was telling my Mom about meeting all of you in Colorado, and then we got to Tommy's story. It was as I was telling her about him that I realized how much I had learned about Tommy, and who he was. I was able to tell her about his love for so many diverse things from Shakespeare and classical music to Michael Jackson, to his legendary stubborness that Terry told us about, and even the story about all the beautiful girls that attended his service. I was struck by the fact that I was telling his story and his memory lives on, even in some of us who never had the honor to meet him. Your tribute is beautiful. Once again I want to say how special it was to meet you and Terry, and I'm grateful to you both for sharing his story and your memories with us. Bett -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by - Batgirl on 10/24/2003 16:37:26 Coastie m 1 Posts Posted - 11/14/2003 : 02:11:10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I feel odd posting about this, here and now, but...I'm in the Slocum family tree from Colorado. I find it hard to imagine there are any Slocums anywhere, let alone there, that are not in the same blood line. Unfortunately, I do not know the distant relatives there, so I'm unsure of any connection... I was home on spring break, dreading reading the names across the bottom of Fox News. Someone very close to me was also in country, and it was his name I was watching for and praying not to see. But then I saw the name Slocum pass by. I remember how odd that felt. A 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' sort of thing. For those who knew and loved him, I am so sorry for your loss. I...I don't really know what to say. And I'm sorry if this hurt anyone. I chose a different path in life, so in closing, I offer my Semper Paratus to his Semper Fidelis. Yucca-Man m USA Jim 'm' this... Ft Collins CO 5728 Posts Posted - 11/17/2003 : 03:37:17 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeanne, welcome to Grit's and thanks for mentioning LCpl Slocum again. Several of us had the pleasure of meeting his mom at our Colorado GriTogethers in October and again at the Birthday celebrations in November. Through her, we met Tommy and enjoyed hearing his progress in the Corps and even to the numerous girls that introduced themselves to his folks as 'his fiancee'. He sure sounds like good people. Semper Fi, Jim DumbGrunt m USA Tracy Milliken Colorado 1659 Posts Posted - 11/17/2003 : 16:52:55 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeanne, Thank You for your kind words. Like Jim said, we are close to L/Cpl Slocum's family and that helps us out, alot! As much as we MArines like to brag, as long as your serving, your good to go in my book! Hell, isn't the coast guard harder then the navy? "Marines die, thats what we do!" docrecon m USA Donald Ellenwood GA 4 Posts Posted - 12/23/2003 : 07:28:59 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Becky: As a old recon doc my hart go's out to you and this devile-dogs famile,but you should know that he has held by one of us be for he went to be with Chesty,and that if we could go for him we would do it . I am so proud of the way the men and wemen are treated today than when I came home from the NAM. May God be with you. HM3 Don (docrecon) Byars Don (docrecon) Byars Grandpas-student m USA Krystal Tracy California 320 Posts Posted - 12/23/2003 : 12:58:01 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That's beautiful, very touching, I am sorry for your loss may he rest in peace "Pain is weakness leaving the body" RichLundeen m USA Rich Longmont CO 3053 Posts Posted - 12/25/2003 : 21:01:58 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I re-read Bett's posting, and I have to echo the fact that Tom lives, in souls of every FREE person, in EVERY Marine, that has the privilge to breathe, on this beautiful Colorado Christmas day. Semper Fi Rich SHOOTER m USA STEVE Mount Vernon Wa. 8241 Posts Posted - 12/25/2003 : 22:40:07 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Becky,Its especially hard at the Holiday Seasons,because thats when loved ones are supposed to be there,and when they are missed the most,more so than everyday,And its times like this that you know ,that although they are gone,they will never be forgotten ,Semper Fi to a Marine Brother,as long as there is a Marine,Tommy will be remembered. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by - SHOOTER on 12/25/2003 22:41:11 KAZ m USA Jim Texas 1305 Posts Posted - 01/06/2004 : 08:52:43 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, Thank you for sharing your tribute, now, I too know LCPL THOMAS J. SLOCUM and he lives in my memory. Jim sends ScottyZ m USA scott Bucyrus Ohio 103 Posts Posted - 01/07/2004 : 11:18:44 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Excellent Tribute. You should always feel safe now, this young man is looking over you and protecting you from above Semper Fi Scott Z "Many people wonder if they've made a difference; Marines dont have to"... Ronald Reagan Bamaman713 m USA Chris Tuscaloosa Alabama 3750 Posts Posted - 02/24/2004 : 19:15:28 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Becky thanks for the beautiful tribute to an outstanding young Marine. May he rest in peace and God bless you. I'd like to offer to you this Native American Prayer that I use to remember the loved ones now gone from my life and also to remember all fallen veterans. Semper Fidelis, Chris Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die. proudCOmom m USA Becky Bailey CO 2182 Posts Posted - 02/25/2004 : 06:38:33 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That was beautiful Chris. I will print this and pass it on to Terry and Stan. Becky schieleintf m USA troy quantico va 3 Posts Posted - 03/17/2004 : 12:23:39 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maam, I was with your son on the battlefield of An Nasiriyah with 1/2....This young Marine performed as a true hero and as it hurts all of us to have lossed him and all of our Marines that day, I know a parents loss is like no other...your Marine is one that history and Marine Corps reputations are made of and he forever will be remembered...SSgt Troy F. Schielein proudCOmom m USA Becky Bailey CO 2182 Posts Posted - 03/18/2004 : 00:18:22 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SSgt Troy F. Schielein I have emailed Tommy's Mom and let her know that your post is here. I am sure she will be very touched by your kind words. My prayers are with Terry and Stan, you and all of the Marines who were there that day. God Bless You! Becky 13 more weeks! GoldStatMom m 24 Posts Posted - 03/19/2004 : 20:22:35 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Becky, Thanks for the tribute for Tommy. As his mother, I feel that he is a true hero, but it is nice to see that others think so too. I want to thank everyone who has posted for their kind words. Tuesday, March 23 is almost here and I'm not sure yet how I and my family be on that day, the anniversary of his death. Knowing that there are people out there who have not and will not forget my son helps greatly. Becky, thanks again for the tribute, your friendship and your support. See you Tuesday. Terry Cooper SGTDUDE m USA Brandon Evans CO 1517 Posts Posted - 03/20/2004 : 01:28:59 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terry, If there is anything that I can do, please let me know. If there's ever a tribute or gathering that I can help with, I'll be there. No matter in what capacity, I will always be at your diposal. Brandon Reinert SGT USMCR Wake me up early, be good to my dog, and teach my children to play...... http://home.att.net/~b.reinert/brandon.html Batgirl m USA Bett 1200 miles too far west... CA (but only until the end of the year!) 2042 Posts Posted - 03/20/2004 : 16:09:18 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I want to thank you again, Terry and Becky, for sharing Tommy with all of us as you have. Tommy's memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew him, as well as those you've shared his story with. I hope you know that many distant hearts will be with you both this coming week. Bett SHOOTER m USA STEVE Mount Vernon Wa. 8241 Posts Posted - 03/20/2004 : 21:57:07 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mrs.Cooper,we will always be there for our Brothers,and Sisters,if not in life,then in spirit. "We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free." "Deo Vindice" Darline m USA Darline Colorado Springs Colorado 931 Posts Posted - 03/21/2004 : 07:54:31 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May Tommy and all those yhat have given their lives for our land be forever in our hearts to remind us of the love and sacrifice they so willingly met. I only wish it could be all of us older people in their place, so that they could continue to live their lives. May there never be a tear shed without a loving thought to replace it in your heart. My prayers are with you, D from Colorado Springs D'Horner cpl_leusch m USA joe cleveland oh 3 Posts Posted - 03/21/2004 : 14:43:12 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was a fried om Thomas Slocum. I served with in in 29 palms. I met Thomas (or as myself and other friends used to call him TJ) when i arrived in 29 palms in october of 98. Little did i know that he was going to be one of my close friend in the 4 yrs i was in. We were roommates, in the same fire team, but most of all we were like brothers. We went through alot together. I wish he was still here. i try to think why is he gone. He is the same age as me and he is gone but yet i am still here. I hope his memory never fades from any americans heart. Semper Fi Joe Leusch/Cpl 3/4 Kilo You will always be remembered Yucca-Man m USA Jim 'm' this... Ft Collins CO 5728 Posts Posted - 03/23/2004 : 01:33:39 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terry, Stan and Becky - please let me know if there's anything y'all need. SSgt Schielein and Cpl Leusch, thank you for giving us some more insight into the Marine who is Tommy Slocum. Semper Fi, Jim Langdon Sgt, USMC 1988-2000 6521 IYAOYAS Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. B. Franklin TSA - How does it feel to be a joke without a punchline? PA Dog m USA Lane Slippery Rock Pa 353 Posts Posted - 03/23/2004 : 10:43:25 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A year may have passed, but never doubt he is not forgotten! Semper Fi Marine proudCOmom m USA Becky Bailey CO 2182 Posts Posted - 03/23/2004 : 16:32:19 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I could not sleep last night trying to find the words of what today would mean to me. I truly believed that the words would come but they did not. Dearest Tommy, I miss you so much. I am so very proud of you. I am so thankful for the deep and profound friendship that has grown this last year with Terry and Stan. You both are an inspiration and a guide to me each day on what courage, and giving are truly all about. I will never forget Tommy. A smile is close by as I remember this wonderful Marine each day of my life. Shortly after Tommy's death, my son wrote this poem. I would like to share his words with Terry and Stan and all of our wonderful family here at Grits. A Marine Semper Fidelis Marine One who is so strong So wise and courageous A brotherhood to belong You become a man so fast Yet feel so young Memories of the past burn your eyes with the sound of your gun What they teach you in the Corps What we see when you're through A true man of sorts To think of how you grew Ignorance you found soon forgotten You live now in trinity And you faced the rotten For you fought with dignity Semper Fidelis Marine That is what you have been To America and its people And to your men We remember your legacy You stay in our hearts You were a sight to see Now you explore new parts You fought for our country With head held high Our nation is something When some are willing to die Thank you Soldier For my freedom The sacrifice you gave The glories, we see them In loving memory of Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Slocum A Marine Soldier Iraq, March 23, 2003 Written by Justin Van Hout We will never forget Becky -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by - proudCOmom on 03/23/2004 16:33:44 USMC_LEATHERNECK88 m USA Troy Chicagoland IL 335 Posts Posted - 04/11/2004 : 23:29:25 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ................If the Army and the Navy ever looked on heavens scenes, they would find the streets are guarded by United States Marines. The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it. -Thucydides Semper Fi, Carry On!!! Beirutvet m USA Proud Beirut Marine Veteran Golf Co. 2/6 660 Posts Posted - 04/12/2004 : 22:12:13 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't check in here as much as I did, very sorry for your lost There will never be anything anyone can do to mitigate the loss of a loved one. All we can do is to be there. One thing to keep in mind, as high brow and prideful as it might seem, is that as a Marine, they’ll never be forgotten. Individual names will fade with time, people will all leave us in time and their memories will go with them when they move on to better things. We often say of fallen Marines, that they have gone on “ To guard Heaven’s Gates” or they’ve been “transferred to Sky Pilot Command.” We know where Marines go when they leave us. We drink to their memory. We remember our Brothers and Sisters. In time we will be gone, and our memories with us. Take this comfort with you as you mourn your losses. The United States Marine Corps will never be forgotten. Your Brothers and Sisters will therefore, never be forgotten. Your Sons and Daughters will never be forgotten. Your Fathers and Mothers will never be forgotten. They have passed into the legend and myth that is the United States Marine Corps. They will be remembered with the likes of Pharaoh’s Army, the Hordes of the Khans, Alexanders Armies, and the Legions of Rome. Other armed forces across the length of time will be remembered as being less than our equals. Your loved ones have been a part of something special. Something that cannot readily be conveyed by mere words. It is scant comfort in this present time, but it is a source of quiet pride to those who understand. A Marine will live forever. God will not abandon those who have been willing to sacrifice so much for others. Your son, and the sons and daughters of so many others will certainly never be forgotten, here on earth or before the throne of God. They are only words, but they are all I presently have to offer. Be at peace, Mother. Be at peace Father. Be you all at peace, for your family member will most certainly guarding Heaven’s Gates upon your own arrival there in the fullness of time. Semper Fidelis, Marine family. Be Proud. SEMPER FI Rick Beirut vet CPL 80-84 proudCOmom m USA Becky Bailey CO 2182 Posts Posted - 04/20/2004 : 05:30:35 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rick, That was a beautiful Tribute! Happy Birthday Tommy up there in heaven. We love and miss you so much and we are so very proud of you. Becky Bamaman713 m USA Chris Tuscaloosa Alabama 3750 Posts Posted - 04/20/2004 : 14:32:53 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Happy Birthday L/Cpl Slocum, you are not forgotten nor shall you ever be as long as there is a United States Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis, Chris GoldStatMom m 24 Posts Posted - 04/25/2004 : 20:02:59 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My family had the honor and I was very proud to accept the Navy And Marine Corps Commendation Medal, posthumously/with combat distinguishing device, awarded to my son, Lance Corporal Thomas J. Slocum, Charlie CO. 1/2 April 17th by Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 14th Marines at Buckley AFB in Denver. The citation reads: HEROIC ACHIEVEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH COMBAT OPERATIONS AS RIFLEMAN, COMPANY C, 1ST BATTALION, 2ND MARINES, REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM 2, TASK FORCE TARAWA ON 23 MARCH 2003. WHILE ATTACKING TO SEIZE THE SADDAM CANAL BRIDGE IN AN NASIRIYAH, IRAQ, COMPANY C CAME UNDER INTENSE FIRE FROM ENEMY INDIRECT AND DIRECT FIRE WEAPONS, LANCE CORPORAL SLOCUM DEMONSTRATED TREMENDOUS INITIATIVE AND COURAGE BY FIRST FIGHTING TO DEFEND THE COMPANY'S POSITION, THEN ASSISTING IN THE EVACUATION OF WOUNDED MARINES. AGAIN AND AGAIN, LANCE CORP ORAL SLOCUM EXPOSED HIMSELF TO DEVASTATING ENEMY FIRE TO SAFEGUARD THE LIFE OF A WOUNDED COMRADE. ULTIMATELY, LANCE CORPORAL SLOCUM ASSISTED IN EVACUATION OF NINE MARINES AND ASSISTED IN THE SEIZURE OF THE SADDAM CANAL BRIDGE BEFORE HE WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED. BY HIS NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PERSERVERANCE, AND DEVOTION TO DUTY LANCE CORPORAL SLOCUM REFLECTED GREAT CREDIT UPON HIM AND UPHELD THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE. FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY R.F. NATONSKI BRIGADIER GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS COMMANDING GENERAL, 2D MARINE EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE Terry Cooper Terry TomB m USA Tom Laureldale PA 6143 Posts Posted - 04/25/2004 : 22:05:57 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Semper Fi Marine. Rest in Peace. Yucca-Man m USA Jim 'm' this... Ft Collins CO 5728 Posts Posted - 04/26/2004 : 00:55:45 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you Terry - you should be proud of him, he was raised right. Semper Fi, Jim proudCOmom m USA Becky Bailey CO 2182 Posts Posted - 04/26/2004 : 06:18:35 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you so much Terry for posting that. I was hoping you would. Becky cpl_leusch m USA joe cleveland oh 3 Posts Posted - 05/06/2004 : 12:01:28 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Semper Fi Marine RichLundeen m USA Rich Longmont CO 3053 Posts Posted - 05/20/2004 : 04:15:05 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terry, it's a complete pleasure to know you. I only wish I could have known Tommy, but I feel as though I do. I would give everything to be able to to giggle and have a beer with Tommy, even though he's a First Battalion kind of Marine. He did more than uphold "THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE MARINE CORPS AND THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE". He gave all. Thanks to Tommy. He better have a beer waiting for me. I know he will. Semper Fi Rich GoldStatMom m 24 Posts Posted - 05/27/2004 : 16:43:26 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Son, This is our 2nd Memorial Day without you here. It still doesn't seem real. I'm still hanging tough and strong, but I have my moments that I share with only you in our special room. You made me proud but sometime I wish I could had one more hug. You keep maning your post and keep an eye on your brothers in your Marine family they need all of our prayers. Terry RichLundeen m USA Rich Longmont CO 3053 Posts Posted - 05/29/2004 : 20:09:49 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He is on post, Terry. He won't be properly relieved till I get there. Hell, there may be tussle over who GETS to relieve him, with all these Colorado Marines............. That's what Memorial Day is for. To remember heros, brothers like Tommy. You and Stan are wonderful and strong. You were there for Tommy, and all of us Jarheads. And we'll always be here for you too. Thank you, and thanks Tommy. Semper Fi Rich proudCOmom m USA Becky Bailey CO 2182 Posts Posted - 05/31/2004 : 08:17:47 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "I knew the day my son died" Thornton - There are moments, Terry Cooper admits, when she has trouble coping with the loss of her son, Marine Lance Cpl. Thomas Slocum. It's then that she seeks refuge in his small bedroom, adorned with American flag wallpaper strips and matching curtains. She sits in the overstuffed chair facing the glass case that has become a shrine to the 22-year- old. "The room itself is actually more important because that's all the stuff that was given to us to remember our son," Cooper said. Slocum's Medal of Valor and Purple Heart are on display here, as well as numerous other patriotic trinkets, flags and a box stuffed full of more than 1,000 condolence letters from people Cooper has never even met. "The cards themselves are what kept me sane, hearing from all these people and the fact that they were truly sorry," she said with a bittersweet smile. "I wrote each and every one a thank-you." More than a year has passed since Slocum was killed in a fierce firefight in Iraq, and while life has largely returned to its daily routine for Terry Cooper and her husband, Stan, every day has become Memorial Day. A half-dozen oversized yellow ribbons adorn the outside of their comfortable working- class home in homage to the U.S. soldiers still overseas, while inside, the triangle-folded American flag that draped Slocum's coffin offers a stark reminder of lives lost. "When I was growing up, on Memorial Day you put the flag out and then you went fishing," Terry Cooper said. "You don't really realize (the meaning) until it touches you." Today, as many Americans enjoy backyard barbecues and campouts, the couple will appear at a parade and then visit Slocum's grave in Fort Logan National Cemetery in the observation of the nation's most solemn day. Slocum became the first Coloradan to die in the Iraqi conflict when a rocket-propelled grenade struck the light transport in which he rode near Nasiriyah in March 2003, just days into the invasion. According to data kept by CNN, 806 U.S. soldiers had been killed as of Friday in the ongoing fighting in Iraq: fresh- scrubbed teens with big dreams and career military officers with families, representing a complete cross section of America. This year, their names will be added to the roll call of the 620,000 soldiers killed in combat since the Revolutionary War, a roll call that was highlighted by Saturday's dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Although the numbers of casualties in the current fighting pale by comparison with previous battles, to each mother the pain is the same. "I knew the day my son died," Terry Cooper said. "We had been watching TV (for news of the war), and that day I turned it off." The next day, a team of Marine reservists from Buckley Air Force Base arrived at her office to confirm her maternal premonition. Slocum, who had just re-enlisted in the Marines after his original four-year commitment expired, was seeing his first combat. The battle that killed him also claimed 25 other American lives. "They say this is one of the most horrendous battles that you've never heard about," Terry Cooper said. Her son's body eventually was recovered from a shallow grave near the same hospital where Army Pvt. Jessica Lynch was held. Just a month ago, the Coopers received the final report of the battle, two thick white binders accompanied by a personal four-hour slideshow presented simultaneously to each of the 26 families by military officers. Stan Cooper, a Navy veteran who helped raise his stepson, read the entire excruciating report. "I don't blame anybody, I just want to know what happened. I need to know," he said. "I want to know what he went through. I want to know what he saw." Terry Cooper couldn't bear the story. "As a mother, I lost my son. That's the bottom line. I don't need to know any other details, other than the fact that he's gone," she said. Instead, she has focused her energy on helping the families of other soldiers. "When Tommy died, we started getting all kinds of money in the mail," Stan Cooper said. "Within six months, we had over $8,000 there." The couple initially donated some of it to the Marine Corps Relief Society and the rest to a local effort called Operation Comforts of Home, which unites lonely soldiers overseas with pen pals on the homefront. When money continued coming in, they found another outlet in the new Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Conifer that was named after Slocum and two other fallen Colorado soldiers. "If there's anything that keeps my son's memory alive, I'm glad to do it," Terry Cooper said. "I don't want the limelight. I just want to honor him." They graciously accept almost every request for an interview and participate in any event honoring American troops. "It's important. People want to see you," she said, although she noted that many don't know what to say to her. "I've had more mothers who can't talk when they see me. You wish you could give them the strength that you have been able to find." Often, the couple resorts to humor to break the tension, but there are times - such as when Slocum's unit returned to the States in June - when even they struggle. "For some reason, that was the day I fell apart," Terry Cooper said. "That was the first time I could not function and I had to have some help." She retreats to the sanctuary of his bedroom that she has adorned with a pair of teddy bears wearing Marine dress blues and fatigues; a glass- boxed hobby-shop display of a doll-sized Marine uniform, rifle and dog tags; and a quilt given to her stitched with the words: "In memory of a fallen brother." "We're not afraid to talk about it because that helps," Stan Cooper said. "We're pretty proud of him. We just felt he deserved more. He lost his entire life. He was 22." http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~6439~2182930,00.html -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by - proudCOmom on 05/31/2004 08:24:06 DumbGrunt m USA Tracy Milliken Colorado 1659 Posts Posted - 06/01/2004 : 10:36:49 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I sat and read this article in the Denver Post this weekend and cried. I asked myself how the world could take such a fine Marine from us, well before his time? I thought of how young we all were, before stepping on those yellow foot prints..... L/Cpl Slocum, you are forever a true hero! As are your parents! They raised a fine young man and gave him to our beloved Corps and suffered the greatest loss any parent could. It has been one of the greatest honors in my life time to have meet the Coopers and to have heard the stories of Tom. The story is not very diffrent from the one most of us here on this board have to tell. But, we are the lucky ones. We are the ones who must hold our fallen Brothers names and deeds close to us. In hopes we will one day not have to send that young L/Cpl to a far off land.... Tho I never meet you in person, I feel a great lose on this day. As if I lost a brother I grew up w/, I will miss you.... Semper Fi "Marines die, thats what we do!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by - DumbGrunt on 06/01/2004 10:43:17 RichLundeen m USA Rich Longmont CO 3053 Posts Posted - 06/02/2004 : 00:47:30 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by DumbGrunt I sat and read this article in the Denver Post this weekend and cried. I asked myself how the world could take such a fine Marine from us, well before his time? I thought of how young we all were, before stepping on those yellow foot prints..... L/Cpl Slocum, you are forever a true hero! As are your parents! They raised a fine young man and gave him to our beloved Corps and suffered the greatest loss any parent could. It has been one of the greatest honors in my life time to have meet the Coopers and to have heard the stories of Tom. The story is not very diffrent from the one most of us here on this board have to tell. But, we are the lucky ones. We are the ones who must hold our fallen Brothers names and deeds close to us. In hopes we will one day not have to send that young L/Cpl to a far off land.... Tho I never meet you in person, I feel a great lose on this day. As if I lost a brother I grew up w/, I will miss you.... Semper Fi "Marines die, thats what we do!" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was his time. His gift to us. We move on, and cherish it. Forever. He gave what only a few, privileged individuals can EVER choose to give. Freedom. It would be to easy to say he gave his life. I would not give mine, or anyone else's. Nor would I say he 'gave' his. Given the opportunity, any of us would fight each other to the ground, just for the fun of it. He choose to give FREEDOM to those that would not experience otherwise. To those that HAVE not experienced anything close to it for over 30 years. Tommy lives in the hearts and actions of the Marines that will liberate each and every person that is oppressed for all time. See you before too long, Tommy. Pour some beers. Semper Fi Rich proudCOmom m USA Becky Bailey CO 2182 Posts Posted - 06/22/2004 : 14:31:10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Always Marine Brothers [img]http://www.disastersupportvolunteers.com/images/mymarinetommy2.jpg[/img] We Will Never Forget -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Becky HardCorpsSupport m USA David Norman Oklahoma 1643 Posts Posted - 06/22/2004 : 15:37:47 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now THAT is beautiful. Having had the privilege of meeting Justin and the honor of getting to know and visit with Terry, that photograph has caused me to get something in my eye...Please accept my love for Tommy and my Thanks as an American citizen for the sacrifice your family has made in defense of Freedom. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Retreat,Hell! We just got here!" Capt Lloyd Williams DumbGrunt m USA Tracy Milliken Colorado 1659 Posts Posted - 06/23/2004 : 09:03:44 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I hear what Dave is saying, there is alot of dust in my lab today... Thanks for posting that picture Becky. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Old L/Cpl of the Marine Corps! MiniGrunt (Georgia) The love of my life! Still as dumb, but a bit more humble... "There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and those who have met them in battle. Everyone else has a secondhand opinion." Unknown tphil13 m USA Tim Maryland 1635 Posts Posted - 06/26/2004 : 01:16:00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OOOOORAAAAHHH. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Semper Fi... Tim Bamaman713 m USA Chris Tuscaloosa Alabama 3750 Posts Posted - 06/26/2004 : 07:02:50 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terry, Stan, Tommy, Becky and Justin, God bless you all. Semper Fidelis, Chris -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, WOW! What a ride!" (Author Unknown)

For those of you who do not get to the Mom's forum.... Tricia posted this. God Bless her and God Bless this Marine, whoever he is. It is a reminder from above that those we love are never forgotten. [img]http://img86.exs.cx/img86/9446/l5wslocum.jpg[/img]

Yes Becky, they are NEVER forgotten. Thanks for posting this pic. I'm sure this young Marine remembers those named on his helmet everyday. God bless them all. Semper Fidelis, Chris

To Tommy, The holidays are hard without you. We miss you and love you so much. Guard heaven well!

We miss you, Tommy!

This is for you Tommy! You helped to change this world! [img]http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2005/IraqElections/Images/20050130h.jpg[/img]

Tommy, this ones for you. Through your sacrifice a new nation is being born. You did great Marine.

Hope no minds me bumping this up. I just needed to see it and read again.

You do it any time you want Becky,Of course we dont mind.

YOUR SON To the Mothers and the Fathers Of United States Marines Who have fought and bled and died So that freedom’s bell still rings From the Halls of Montezuma To the shores of Tripoli From the alleys of Fallujah To the frozen Yudam-ni From the sands of Iwo Jima To the hills around Khe Sanh From the smoky hell of Belleau Woods Your Son fought and won Your Son battled dictatorships Communism and tyranny God’s Son died to make men holy Your Son died to make men free There is a debt we owe Your Son That we can never repay We owe Your Son more than platitudes Heard on Veterans or Memorial Day Your Son is a son of America One of the Proud and the Few Your Son volunteered to do the things Other men would not or could not do Your Son was Semper Fidelis Always Faithful to the end was he Your Son was a shining example Of what a man is supposed to be Now Your Son has been reassigned To stand guard on Heaven’s streets And when my tour of duty is over I know that we will meet I’ll thank Your Son for my freedom For keeping terror on a distant shore I’ll thank Your Son for our way of life And the sacrifice he bore So tonight when you cry out to God While praying on your knees Know that He’s a loving God Who will listen to your pleas To lose Your Son for freedom’s cause God truly understands God sent His Son to die for us So you can see Your Son again ©Gene E. Blanton “Not as lean. Not as mean. Still a Marine.” You'll never be forgotten, Tommy................... Terry, Praying always for you, and your family....... God Bless, Tricia Becky, You know I'm always here for you. March forward my friend Tommy wouldn't want it any other way..........Tricia

[img]http://www.scuttlebuttsmallchow.com/slocum.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.disastersupportvolunteers.com/images/mymarinetommy2.jpg[/img] [img]http://img86.exs.cx/img86/9446/l5wslocum.jpg[/img] We love you dearest Tommy

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March 23 Iraqi forces killed and wounded several U.S. Marines on Sunday, March 23, around the southern city of An Nasiriya in what a senior U.S. officer called "the sharpest engagement of the war thus far". At one point an Iraqi unit indicated it wished to surrender, but then opened fire with a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, hitting a troop carrier and killing nine Marines. The Marines had all trained together at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. NEAR NASIRIYA, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S. Marines Friday recovered the bodies of seven fallen comrades who died in intense fighting around Nasiriya in southern Iraqi Sunday, officials said ... Most of the bodies recovered Friday were found in their burned-out armored vehicle. When the Marines arrived on the scene, they recovered five bodies, said U.S. Marine Capt. Scott Dyer, who oversaw the recovery effort. Some Iraqi civilians came out and showed where they had buried two others, he said. The Iraqis also handed over the personal effects of at least one of the Marines, including photographs and some mail, Dyer said. Marine chaplain Gordon Ritchie led the group in a brief religious service at the scene, including a prayer and a moment of silence. "Marines care for their own," Ritchie said. "And that is in life and in death. And so they see their duty not complete until they are resting in their homeland with their families." Among the dead were: Sgt. Michael E. Bitz of the 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C. The other eight Marines were all assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C.: Lance Cpl. David K. Fribley, Cpl. Jose A. Garibay, Cpl. Jorge A. Gonzalez, Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Jordan, Lance Cpl. Thomas J. Slocum, Corporal Randal Kent Rosacker, Lance Corporal Brian Rory Buesing, 2nd Lt. Frederick E. Pokorney Jr.

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1st Lt E.A. Meador, USMC "I am 1st Lt E.A. Meador, Executive Officer, Company C, 1st Bn 2d Marine Regiment, 2d MEB, the unit engaged in the Battle of An Nasiriyah on 23 March 2003. I thank you for your page and the accounts of our fallen comrades; however, some of the information is misleading. Specifically the information about the supposed surrender and attack of the Iraqi troops. (See Marine Corps Deaths in Iraq War, March 23). I know that there are many stories of that day that hit the news with varying degrees of accuracy. Briefly I will note the discrepancy. Our unit, 1st Bn 2d Marines had the mission of securing two key bridges on the eastern side of Nasiriyah, one to the south over the Euphrates and one to the north over the Saddam Canal. As we approached the city from the southern side, the battalion had some engagements with the Iraqis and then we encountered elements of the US Army 507th Maintenance Unit just south of the city. Members of this Army unit advised the battalion that they had been hit by an Iraqi unit acting as if they were surrendering. At this time our unit, 1st Bn 2d Marines, began a deliberate attack of the bridges. We encountered heavy fire moving through the city, but there was no faked surrender by Iraqis to the Marines. It was mostly Fedayeen using guerilla tactics coupled with uniformed Iraqi troops and Republican Guard. The 18 Marines killed that day were all part of or attached to Charlie Company. Charlie Company's mission was to secure the northeastern bridge over the Saddam Canal. As we pushed through the city, one of our Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) was hit with an RPG but made it north of the bridge with the rest of the company and we took a considerable amount of small arms fire and more RPG fire. After reaching the north side of the bridge, we debarked the vehicles under heavy indirect fire, machine gun fire and RPG fire. Several casualties were taken at this point north of the bridge and we could not get a medevac helo to us because of the amount of fire. The fight continued and Charlie Company pressed on the enemy returning fire with machine guns, SMAW rockets, M16 fire, mortar and artillery for some time. The closest medical help besides our corpsmen was back through the city to the south where other elements of the battalion were holding the southern bridge. The casualties were loaded on to several AAVs to be taken back to the south bridge for medical evacuation and also to update the other elements of the battalion of the situation on the north side of the bridge. While pushing south, some of the AAVs were hit with RPGs and were immobilized. The group of Marines evacuating casualties stopped in the city to consolidate wounded and those left without a vehicle. A squad positioned themselves in a building in the city and protected the downed AAVs and casualties that could not all fit on the remaining vehicles and the rest of the party continued south. Once the evacuation party reached the other company on the south end, another AAV was hit with an RPG. A helo medevac was coordinated in this area to evacuate the casualties. Tanks and other elements of the battalion then pushed to the north bridge to join Charlie Company, recovering the squad and casualties inside the city on the way. As the casualties were moved south, the bulk of Charlie Company continued to fight the enemy north of the bridge. The indirect fire coming from several directions was intense for nearly three hours and the RPG, machine gun and small arms fire was also heavy from several directions. Before the battalion consolidated north of the bridge, the enemy fire began to lift and they began to withdraw. At the end of the fight, we had 18 killed in action and 14 wounded in action medevac'd. We also had 7 out of 12 AAVs destroyed or immobilized. It was a hard fought battle, but the company inflicted a serious blow to the enemy north of the bridge and we held it strongly after defeating the Iraqi forces there. It is important to note the heroism and solid performance of the Marines of Charlie Company. The leadership and strength of the success was in the small unit leaders and heroic actions of teams and individuals. When faced with the hardships of the battle, the Marines performed superbly. During the fight, several of the wounded Marines continued to load other casualties and give medical aid while others continued to fight. Corpsmen rushed under fire to treat wounded as AAV crewmen returned fire from their vehicles, and teammates fought to their death to assist other Marines and would not give up on their brothers. There were several different fights in An Nasiriyah that day throughout the whole battalion and many acts of heroism. This is just one man's account of what happened on that day, there are many other stories within Charlie Company and throughout the other companies of the battalion. There was some involvement of a US aircraft that day as well but I am unable to speak of it at this time. I will keep up with your website and may have a more detailed account at a later date. I just wanted to clear up that the Marine unit that fought the bulk of the battle at An Nasiriyah never encountered an Iraqi Unit that indicated surrender; it was a deliberate attack. I can speak only for what Charlie Company faced and the Marines acted like Marines. They fought hard, won the battle and took care of each other. Thanks, 1st Lt E.A. Meador, USMC"

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Keep smiling, Tommy!! We see you....

Happy Birthday our dearest Tommy... We Love and miss you

Happy Birthday Tommy, should be a great party in heaven,

Still as bright a Star as ever,Sleep soundly,And wake when the trumpets sound.