This is Joe on his first tour and then afterwards when he met the kids who’d written to him during his time in Iraq. I wanted to share these photos since we don’t often think of the soldiers as being just a nice guy next door, but that’s what Joe was…
His stepfather, Philip Okonek, said Joe took his duties as a leader seriously — he truly was worried about the Marines serving under him. His mother echoed that sentiment.
“He didn’t call home very often this last tour,” she said. “He said it was because there were so many men under his care that were on (their) first tour of duty, he wanted to make sure they’d have the opportunity to call home. That’s just how he was.”
Piatt said Joe always sent messages through his father to her class in addition to writing whenever he could.
“He was a good kid, a good young man. He just wanted to do good for people,” she said. “I wish he knew how many people cared about him. He touched so many lives that he didn’t even know about.”
photographs: From the Akron Beacon Journal article 08/04/06
Other Posts about Joe: Joe Tomci and In Memorium
Rest In Peace, Corporal Joseph Tomci
He was a good Marine and a good man. Semper Fi. Hat tip: A Rose By Any Other Name…
Thanks, Puddle Pirate, for the trackback. From everything I’ve heard about him, LCPL Tomci was a great guy. I just received a comment from a friend of his and he shared some wonderful memories.
Oh Anna,
So beautifully done.
I hope his family and friends see what the memory of him has inspired you to create.
I understand. Again, my condolences to all. He was a man among men,
Andrea
Hi Andrea,
I’m sorry I missed the show today. I was highjacked by the girls to go shopping for band camp (not my idea of a good time!)
I actually did hear from a friend of Joe’s in the previous post and he said some very nice things! That meant a lot to me.
It’s such sad news to read of the deaths of so many fine, brave and decent men like Joe Tomci.
But the example they set, not to mention their service and ultimate sacrifice make us proud to know them as our countrymen.
Thank GOD there are so many good men and women like Cpl. Tomci out there willing to serve this nation.
And thank you Anna for honoring his memory.
Thanks Mike. The only thing that makes the loss bearable for his family is knowing that he was doing what he felt was right and what he loved doing.
I received an email from my dad with a simple message…
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
Jesus Christ and the American GI
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
Thanks for honoring his memory, Anna. Great photos, too.
And what a great e-mail from your dad.
You just missed my blogpost, by half an hour, btw. Minor stuff, but I think you’d enjoy.
Thank you, Word. Yes, Dad’s message was pretty amazing. I would imagine that most people would never think of it that way and then there are those who would deny it.
I’ll be by very soon to check it out….
Fallen Heroes
Condolences to the Family, Friends, and Comrades of the following Americans who lost their lives while in the pursuit of gaining freedom for others.
May God hold them in his hands and may their families carry them forever in their hear…
Thanks for tracking back with your memorial, David!
Carnival of Blue Stars #16
Welcome to the 16th Carnival of Blue Stars. Our military men and women are our best and brightest! Their accomplishments are the pride of our country. The Carnival of Blue Stars gives us, the families, friends, supporters, veterans and current servic…
Thanks for including this post, beth!
What a loss. Sadly, it’s the best people who recognize what’s going on and who are willing to put themselves in the front lines to protect the rest of us. I sure hope we’re deserving of their sacrifice.
Book, I believe all we can do is live our lives well and try to be of service to others. That is the best way to honor their sacrifices. Well, that’s how I feel anyway.
[...] A Rose by Any Other Name introduces you to Joe Tomci. You really need to go over and see who this wonderful young American Marine was! Blue Crab Boulevard offers the perspective of an American Officer (his son) on the war in Israel. chezDiva lets us know about an American Soldier who lost his job for serving his country. [...]
Thank you Viva La Blog!
Cpl Joseph Tomci Gave His Last Full Measure of Devotion
Joe Tomci has always been, and always will be, a young man of honor and strength of character. He believed he was making this world a better place and courageously lived a life that exemplified the true meaning of sacrifice to self.
Thank you for creating this blog in memory of Joe’s great service to his country. Joe’s family will see this heart-felt tribute and will be uplifted by your appreciation for all Joe has accomplished.
Thank you. Please continue to keep the family in your prayers.
Lynette,
Thank you so much for stopping by here and in email and sharing such wonderful memories of Joe. Through the tributes in the papers and the messages from friends and family here, I really wish that I could have known him. He is a son any parent would be proud of, that is definitely apparent.
My prayers go out to all the men and women serving and their families because I just cannot say thank you enough for their sacrifices!
Joe Tom’s family is in all of our prayers and I know he will be greatly missed. He’s our hero.
Thank you, Jodi. He will be missed by many. From everything I’ve read and heard, he was a really great guy!
[...] Other posts about Joe: Joe Tomci and In Memorium Published in: [...]
[...] Other posts about Joe: Joe Tomci (1) and Joe Tomci (2) Published in: [...]
Semper Fi, Marine.
I will answer for you at roll call.
My condolences to the family and friends of this fine young man.
And my deepest gratitude for allowing us to be present to render honor to him.
-Steam Dragon
Patriot Guard Rider.
Joe always tried his best. I will never forget his face and will always think of him what a brave hearted man he was!! Rest in Peace Joe!
I was Joe’s scoutmaster for 7 years in boy scouts. He was a wonderful young man who loved the outdoors and camping. He will always be an inspiration for me. His parents should be very proud. They raised a young man who touched so many lives. God Bless you Joe.
To the Tomci family. Joe was a great human being. The impact he has had on the children he wrote to and met is simply overwhelming. He will continue to live on in their hearts. Thank you for everything you have done to make this as easy as possible for these children who loved him so much. Joe is a true hero and he will be missed.
Please be assured everyone, that I will forward all your wonderful messages to his family. I do not know them personally, but I will mail them these comments! Thank you!!
Joe Tomci was one of the main reasons i joined the Marine Corps. I grew up with Joe. I saw what the Corps was doing for him and i wanted all the discipline he had. Joe was a great man and a great Marine who would have done anything to help anyone. I will miss him alot. He was always the one who could make anyone laugh. The world needs more Joe Tomci’s.
Private Barrett,
Thank you so much for your service to our great country. I cannot express how much it means to me that men like you and Joe Tomci have sacrificed so much to keep us free. From what I understand, Joe inspired many and will continue to do so with the legacy of his example.
Please stay safe and stay strong and know that Joe will always be with you.
Joe was a wonderful guy. He was always making my friends and I laugh, and we looked forward to seeing him on the weekends he came to visit us at ECU. I keep looking back at all the photos I took of him, and I know such a great guy will be missed. My heart goes out to his family.
Thank you for sharing those wonderful memories, Christy. From all I have read and heard he was truly one of the great ones! All I know for sure is that he gave his life serving his country and ensuring the safety and freedom of the Iraqi people as well as me and my family and there are no words to convey my gratitude for that!
My son Cpl. Tyler Warndorf, was saddend by your death. He joined you on 8/29/06. Our family is grieving with so many of you. I had heard so many great things about Tomci. When I went to the homecoming, I was told that our sons were amazing people, were the poster guys for the Marines, and they joked with them about being so great. I will be attending the Memorial set for the 11th this month and would love to meet his family. It is still new, and the greif is raw at times. But, the healing will come, and the comfort from those around us will help and does help. I include you in my prayers as well. Because our sons were close and still are…we will continue their legacy in honoring them they way they so deserve. May God bless you, and Peace be with you.
Sincerely,
Tina
My dear Tina, I want you to know that you have my utmost gratitude both for you and your son. His sacrifice is sincerely felt and you have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your son. What wonderful men Tyler and Joe were to everyone who knew them! You must be so proud of him!
Thank you for your beautiful comments. I hope and pray that God keeps you and your son and your entire family in His loving grace.
I was just watching the Nancy Grace show in which she is honoring our Heroes and that is how I found out about Marine Cpl Joseph Tomci. I was deeply touched when they showed him meeting with the children who had adopted him as their pen-pal for two years. To me it indicates a person of great character and an even greater heart to show these kids that he really did care for them and appreciated what they did for him. Steel sharpens Steel.
Everyone became better just by knowing this young Hero.
I am thankful to have learned of his story. God Bless his family.
Thank you Nunzio. I’m sorry I missed Nancy Grace’s show I will have to see if it will be on again!
I do believe that those children’s lives have been touched and enhanced by knowing Joe. They will have seen what true honor and strength of character really mean!