Lance Cpl. Joe Tomci and a fellow Marine with Third Battalion, Eighth Marines Regiment, Lima Company, 4th Platoon, look at a map while on a security patrol in Khamra, Iraq, May 26, 2005.
_______________________________________________________
A 21-year-old Marine from Stow who was a pen pal to a group of students at Fishcreek Elementary was killed Wednesday morning by a roadside bomb in Iraq, his family said.
Cpl. Joe Tomci, who was on his second tour of duty, enlisted in the Marine Corps right after his 2003 graduation from Stow-Munroe Falls High School.
His father said Tomci loved what he was doing.
“He felt that they were really doing something worthwhile,” John Tomci said.
Susan Walker, John Tomci’s girlfriend, said the last time anyone had spoken with Joe was three to four weeks ago.
“He was really excited to be coming home,” she said. “He only had about a month to go.”
During his first tour in Iraq, Tomci corresponded with Tracy Piatt’s second-grade class.
“The packages (the students sent) were one of the best motivations while I was in Iraq,” he told the class when he visited them after his first tour ended, according to a 2005 article in the Stow Sentry. “I would read the letters for hours. It means a lot to me.”
The city of Stow lowered its flag to half-staff Wednesday and Mayor Karen Fritschel called the family with her condolences, Walker said.
Tomci was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Regiment, Lima Company, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
I had to post about this Marine, not only for the ultimate sacrifice he made, but because he meant the world to a class full of second graders. They had no bigger thrill then when he came into their class after his first tour in Iraq and there will be no bigger heartbreak for them then losing this soldier they wrote to and sent packages to throughout his tour. If ever a soldier had a fan club…
Story: Akron Beacon Journal
Photo: USMC photo by LCpl Matthew Hutchison
Other posts about Joe: Joe Tomci (1) and Joe Tomci (2)
simply heartbreaking ANNA…
a true hero for us all…
The loss of any soldier is heartbreaking, but he’s from our hometown, so it just seems to hit harder. And he was/is the hero to many children here.
Anna,
Our sympathy goes to Lance Corporal Tomci’s family, friends, community, and country. God bless him. And all who serve.
Andrea & Mark
Constitutional Public Radio
There you go, Anna, making the tears well up — again. What a beautiful story of sacrifice from one of America’s finest. Heartfelt prayers for Cpl. Tomci’s family & loved ones as they try & cope with their great loss. Another example of America’s finest giving his ALL for what is right & good; we owe Cpl. Tomci & his fellow soldiers so much! I’ll bet his heroism & love of country will be felt, honored & remembered by every child in that 2nd grade class, for a lifetime!
I’ll second that sentiment, Andrea!
Trish, I’m sure his memory will stay with those kids for a very long time to come. May we honor and bless all our soldiers!
So sorry to hear…we will pray for his family.
God bless and thanks for posting Anna..:)
Thank you, Angel. Prayers are a comfort in times like these.
God Rest Tomci’s Soul. Thank you Mr. Tomci for your service to our country. I am touched by your story. I feel your pain in how you think your students might feel.
Although on another plane, I would like for you to read THIS STORY to understand that I know how you feel, and maybe to explain to your students that it’s OK, and how they will feel for years to come.
Nice post, and always an honor to remember a man who epitomizes our country’s values.
Malinda, I do know what you mean about life altering moments. My cousin was flying two friends (who were also clients) home from a meeting. The plane went down (wind sheer?) and all three men were lost. They were three men who each had small children and each wife was expecting a new baby. My cousin’s wife knew the moment he died, she felt it. But she had the peace of knowing that life would be hard, but that she would see him again. This belief left her feeling more calm then hysterical. Many small signs followed to let her know that she wasn’t alone. For me, it was proof that a physical death is not the end.
“Many small signs followed to let her know that she wasn’t alone.”
I’ve heard it said that the “bridge” between the land of the living & the land of those now gone… is LOVE. Surely the “many small signs” your cousin’s wife felt at the moment of — & after — his death, not only provided proof of life after life, but also Heavenly evidence of a beautiful connection they will ALWAYS have. This very process has happened to me & NO ONE was more blown-away than I was — that such a phenomenon even existed! It is truly a gift.
I have no doubt that they will be together again. Just as I have no doubt that my Mom is still looking out for me, though I would prefer to actually have her here!
Thank you everyone for your words and respect. I went to school with Joe Tomci all my life and have been friends with him for a while now. We all had the most respect in the world for Joe. One quote i will never forget was him saying “I am fighting over their so you guys (his friends) don’t have to”.
We will never forget you Joe
Nick Marazza
Nick, thank you so much for stopping by my blog and for the wonderful memories you shared! We live close by and though we didn’t know him, we see how Joe’s death has really hit this area hard.
I love our troops and feel they don’t get enough recognition for all the great things they do, so I want to show my appreciation any way I can.
“I would read the letters for hours. It means a lot to me.”
He certainly should mean a lot to a whole nation. We need MSM to tell the stories of our war heroes. In a manner that will honor their memories and to inspire; not to demoralize.
My heart breaks for the 2nd graders whose lives he touched.
You really don’t know how many lives someone touches until they are gone.
Word, the MSM would much rather “report” on how horrid our military men and women are then to praise them for the good they have done!
Dear Johnny & Susan & Jason: We are so sorry that you have to go through this right now.I will always remember my nephew Joseph as having a “sweet spirit” about him as reflected in the life he lived. Bibically, Joseph means “productive one” and his Aunt & Uncle here in North Carolina truly beleive this about him. He was a special son and person and we know he will be missed.We love you and ask God to surround you with His comfort and love. Love Your sister Joy & brother-in-law Thom.
Joy and Thom,
I wish that I could relay your message directly to Joe’s family, but I don’t know them. I did, however, copy your message to the guest book at the newspaper (Akron Beacon Journal).
I was honoring a “hometown hero” and that’s how you found me here.
My students were the ones who wrote to Joe for two years. Thank you so much for your comments. He is a true hero to them. They came to love him so much and this has been very hard on them. Knowing and caring about Joe has changed them and they have been truly blessed for being part of his life. They will carry him in their hearts forever.
Thank you so much for your comment, Tracy! I felt drawn to write about Joe because he is a hometown hero and because of the relationship he had with your class. He was, by all accounts, an amazing and wonderful young man and I am sure that knowing him and being a part of his life and experience has enhanced your students’ lives for the better. They had first-hand experience with what honor, valor and heroism truly mean.
Please convey our sympathy and prayers to his family.
[...] Previous posts about Joe Tomci: In Memorium Joe Tomci Joe Tomci A Marine’s Funeral [...]
I went to boot camp, ITB, and 3 deployments with JoeTom and I will remember him always as a brother and a man who would do anything for something he believed in!! He will be missed. SEMPER FI BRO!!!
Sgt Ritz, thank you so much for your service and for writing about your memories of Joe. He was a good man and I have no doubt that he touched your life as he did any and all who met him!
I cannot thank you and all our military enough not only for your service, but for the sacrifices that service has caused you and those you love. That you would put your lives on the line for me and my family is truly humbling.