Posted by Ramon M. Ong '63 on September 18, 2002:

TJ, as everyone called him, is the first among my Company E2 classmates to pass away and he did it just shy of his 61st birthday. I guess we are a hardy breed in E2 because we all survived Plebe Year, Airborne-Ranger-Special Forces training, Vietnam, Desert Storm, traffic accidents, nicotine, alcohol and cholesterol from September 1959 until January 2002. TJ was also one of the first classmates in Beast Barracks to make friends with me. I know we had a hard time understanding each other's speech - me with my Manila accent and TJ with his Bronx accent! But we tried and we succeeded. And for the next four years, I had the memorable pleasure, dubious honor and distinct privilege of knowing one of the most unique yet fascinating persons to share my life. Being with TJ was an adventure in itself. He worked hard when times were tough and he played hard when times were easy, but he rarely let on when he was having difficulties with the Tactical or Academic Departments. He had his ever-present sense of humor that kept us in stitches during mealtimes. His voluminous vocal views on the complexities of life usually conflicted with everyone else's. But he always had a helping hand for those in need and all those who belonged to his close circle treasured his friendship, because it was meant to last, long after our life at West Point. TJ and I parted ways after Graduation Day and we never saw each other again. I did not hear anything about him either, although I learned that another classmate/roommate of mine borrowed his car one day and...but that is another story. So long, TJ. Thank you for your friendship and the memories. You shall not be forgotten by those you leave behind. And now, here's my final salute to a great guy, a great officer and a great pal! Bgigadier General Ramon M. Ong (Ret) Armed Forces of the Philippines

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