Posted by Mark Brick on July 26, 2000:

Tommie and I first met at the Prep School at Fort Monmouth, NJ and instantly became friends. He often invited me to spend holidays with him and his family in Rhode Island as I couldn't afford to travel to Virginia to see my own family. Tommie was one of 3 brothers who proudly served in the military with one brother in the Army and the other in the Air Force. Tommie came from a humble background such as myself but his talents spoke of greatness. He lost his father to cancer while we were at the Prep School so he had his share of personal tragedy. Despite this Tommie excelled in everything he put his mind to and I admired his dedication and loyalty. We grew apart later at the Academy as I settled into C-1 and he E-1 but we always remained friends and I often heard from his mother whom we all called Mumzy. I was on vacation during Tommie's death and my father read about his accident in the paper. I have to admit I bawled like a baby at his funeral and kept saying to myself "That's not Tommie. He's not supposed to be gone yet." Like so many others I know Tommie was destined to accomplish so many wonderful things and the world has been robbed of a great talent and a great friend. Thanks for all the good memories, Tommie. Mark

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