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DEL.ICIO.USDouglas soldier killed in Iraq
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Douglas County soldier has been reported killed in Iraq.
Corporal Thomas Strickland, 27, of Fairplay, was a member of the Army’s 48th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized), according to Wes Tallon, county communications director.
Strickland’s family was notified Monday, Tallon said.
Tallon said it was the first combat death in Douglas County since Vietnam.
“We had a huge send-off for our Army National Guard unit in January. They went to training, and they were actually in Iraq starting in June. The whole community is very tight-knit and you know this is something we hoped would never happen,” Tallon said.
The Douglasville unit, with members from across Georgia, is Detachment I, HHC 1/108th Armor. It has 81 members. The unit is made up of scouts and mortar teams that support tanks and other armor.
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By Penny
August 16, 2005 11:17 AM | Link to this
Sending prayers of comfort to this family. I pray that God will give you some peace during this time.
By Em
August 16, 2005 11:44 AM | Link to this
To the Strickland family and friends. My thoughts, prayers and sympathy are with you during this sad time. Sincerely, Emily
By Sherri Hardy
August 16, 2005 11:53 AM | Link to this
TOM was a friend to my daughter Heather and my impression of him was that he was kind and thoughtful . I feel the impact of the tragedy of war now in a closer to my heart way. My condolences to the family and friends of this young man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
By sgt. cooper
August 16, 2005 12:07 PM | Link to this
SGT. Strickland was an excellent nco and a damn good man. He did not deserve this fate. I hope we do not have to suffer any more losses before they bring the D’ville boys home. as soon as posible I hope
By Christy
August 16, 2005 12:31 PM | Link to this
As a Douglasville resident and as a wife of a deployed soldier I am so hurt by all of this news. To the family of SGT. Strickland, my prayers and thoughts are with you all.
By Brandon Taff
August 16, 2005 12:44 PM | Link to this
My sympathies to Thomas’ family. He was a one of a kind guy that will be sorely missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
By Sandra Johnson Waldrip
August 16, 2005 01:06 PM | Link to this
To the Strickland family: You have my deepest sympathy, thoughts, and prayers. May God give you strength and peace.
By jeannie
August 16, 2005 01:20 PM | Link to this
As I read this, Tears came to my eyes.. I worry daily about my Scout friends that are there and everything that they are going through.. To the Thomas Family—Sgt.Strickland was a great guy.. My daughter enjoyed talking to him and even running around with him at the send off in Jan.. You all will be in our prays daily…And We Will Always Remember Sgt. Strickland…… Jeannie and Olivia Faith— Douglasville, Georgia
By Jonathan
August 16, 2005 01:24 PM | Link to this
My prayers go out to this family. along with SPC. Dingler’s who was from Hiram who also got killed. I personally kew Dingler and his family.
By Solikha
August 16, 2005 01:50 PM | Link to this
I am the mother of Thomas’ godchildren. He was the most compassionated role model my kids could ever ask for. We were able to get together with a group of Thmas’ most tight nit friends to honour his memories last night.
My fondest memories was of Thomas teaching my eldest son to eat OREOS. They made the biggest mess. Milk up to there elbows and creamless cookies everywhere. I love you so much Thmas and we are there for your family, as you have been for mines.
By Troy Mowery
August 16, 2005 02:15 PM | Link to this
Stick was a great friend and one hell of a NCO. He was a leader among men. When times were rough, he was always able to make us smile. When i didnt know something, he would go out of his way to instruct me, so that i would be up to speed. To the family of Tom, Im sorry for your lose. Ill miss him…
By John L Sanders
August 16, 2005 02:24 PM | Link to this
My sympathies to Thomas family. From the Sanders Family.
By Michael Bentley
August 16, 2005 03:00 PM | Link to this
I grew up with Thomas. He was one of my older brother’s best friends, and a great friend of my family. When my brother passed away some 10 years ago, Thomas wrote a song down and gave it to us to help us out in our time of need. This was the last thing I expected I would be doing; I am returning these lyrics to your family to offer them solace. Thomas, you will be greatly missed and we will always love you brother!
Sincerely, Michael Bentley
by Doyle Bramhall / B. Logan recording of 1991 from The Sky Is Crying (Epic EK-47390),
Hello there, my old friend Not so long ago it was til the end We played outside in the pouring rain On our way up the road we started over again
You’re livin our dream oh you on top my mind is achin,’ Lord it won’t stop That’s how it happens livin life by the drop
Up and down the road in our worn down shoes Talkin about good things and singin the blues you went your way and I stayed behind We both knew it was just a matter of time
You’re livin our dream oh you on top my mind is achin,’ Lord it won’t stop That’s how it happens livin life by the drop
No wasted time, we’re alive today Churnin up the past, there’s no easier way Time’s been between us, a means to an end God it’s good to be here walkin together my friend
We’re livin our dreams my mind’s stopped achin,’ That’s how it happened livin life by the drop That’s how it happened livin life by the drop That’s how it happened livin life by the drop
By Terry Irvin
August 16, 2005 04:01 PM | Link to this
To The Strickland Family.There is nothing much anybody can say to bring you comfort.Ilike for you to know Thomas died a HERO and you can be very pround of him.May God bless and be with you.
By The Crews Family
August 16, 2005 07:54 PM | Link to this
To the Strickland Family. We knew Tom through our daughter, Jocelyn, when they both worked at Borders in Douglasville. We all thought very highly of him. Our thoughts and prayers go from our family to yours. May God Bless and be with your family. We will miss him.
By NANCY
August 16, 2005 09:53 PM | Link to this
“GOD BLESS OUR FALLEN HEROES” —IF WE KNEW IT WOULLD BE THE LAST TIME THAT WE SAW YOU WALK OUT THE DOOR,WE WOULD GIVE YOU A HUG AND KISS AND CALL YOU BACK FOR ONE MORE…REMEMBER YOUR GOOD TIME AND CHERISH YOUR MEMORIES.. GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY’S AND GIVE THEM STRENGTH.
By Jason
August 17, 2005 11:26 AM | Link to this
Thomas was a geunine guy that brought sunshine to an otherwise dark world………
By Jason
August 17, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this
Jeremy, Nathan, or Mikey Please give me a call 678-492-1770 Trout
By Jenny
August 17, 2005 04:01 PM | Link to this
I didnt know Tom as well as most of you, but I had the priveledge of meeting him back in November. Him and my dear friend Gabe came up to visit me in Wisconsin.
I can honestly say that Tom was one of the most amazing people Ive ever met. He had such a gentle and loving soul. And I miss him dearly.
My thoughts and prayers to Tom’s family and other friends. God Bless You and Rest in Peace Tom.
xox Jenny and Evan Coleman
By Sean
August 19, 2005 01:53 AM | Link to this
I knew Tom through his blog. He was a brilliant writer and an angelic person. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
By Melissa & Amy
August 21, 2005 01:02 AM | Link to this
Tom Strickland, Grandma’s kitchen, and a rousing game of SORRY. Life doesn’t get much better than that. Tom was an incredible person and we will miss him very much. “Eeeeuuuggghh!” (Tom knows) :)
By James and Sara Register
August 22, 2005 12:36 PM | Link to this
We knew Tom through our friend Gabe. We always cherished the times we had together with Tom, from the first time we met him and Mr. Punchy, to the night of The Pixies show. He was truely a great man and will be missed dearly. We send our condolences to his family. May God bless you all. James and Sara
By Katy Dorsett-Smith
August 24, 2005 12:11 AM | Link to this
I knew Thomas from going to church with him at Dorsett Shoals. He was a very dear person to me. We hadn’t spoken for quite some time, and as I heard of his death, that was the first thing I thought of. I hadn’t gotten to tell him of what a wonderful christian man I knew that he was, and that I always looked up to him. He was there for my family when my brother passed away, and I was always grateful to call him friend. My prayers are with your family, and my thoughts are with you forever! Your son died a hero! And not just a hero for fighting in the war, but because he taught so many of us lessons that we will forever cherish and remember. God be with you through this hard time and forever! Love, Katy
By Cindi
August 24, 2005 01:07 PM | Link to this
I only knew Sgt Strickland from his journal entries, but am feeling a sense of loss regardless. He was a fine writer who shared his experiences in Iraq with those of us who would read them. I am thankful to have gotten to hear his perspective. Godspeed on your journey, Rev.
By Gabe
August 26, 2005 12:12 PM | Link to this
“Live without expectations. Love without qualifiers.”
These are your words, good Rev, and you showed me that it could be done. Thank you, and i love you.