Local News - April 2003

Soldier’s photo in USA Today brings comfort

By SARA FUNDERBURK, LTN Correspondent

Tony and Sheila Thomas of Lincolnton pray daily for the safety of their son. They haven’t heard from him since March 1.

Pfc. Tony Blake Thomas, 25, is on his way to Baghdad in a Paladin tank, according to the last word received by his parents, his fiancee, Kerrie, and his 4-year-old son, Tyler.

They wait, watching the FOX channel for updates.

Tyler makes things to send to his dad, just as Tony’s parents do. Tyler has a picture of his dad that he holds and kisses everyday.

Kerrie went to Sheila with the idea of hanging a Blue Star Banner in the window in honor of Tony. In the front window, the flag with one solitary star, will hang until he returns home.

Front page surprise

On March 7 the wait ended, ever so briefly, with an abrupt update, not only for them, but for the rest of the nation. There on the front page of USA Today is Tony, sitting on a military bunk, holding a rifle in his hand and looking serious.

 “It’s God telling us he is OK,” says Sheila Thomas.

In the article, a USA Today cover story on Thomas’ unit, known as Camp Virginia, Thomas speaks about his parents’ concern. They don’t dwell on the threat of combat, he said in an interview, at least not openly.

“They know that I’m going to worry about them worrying,” he says. “So they just say, ‘go out there and what you have to do’.”

Thomas loads shells into howitzers; he spends a lot of his military time in a tank.

The calls pour in to the Thomas household, one from as far away as Oklahoma, after the article appears. People offer encouraging words and express pride at seeing Thomas’ picture.

Before Thomas joined the Army, he was a volunteer fireman at North 321 Fire Department. He would stay up at night to listen for the calls.

“He was very dedicated to the fire service; we never had any complaints about him,” said past North 321 Chief Ronnie Williams.

On the front line

Thomas is a member of the Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion of the 9th Field Artillery, part of the 3rd Infantry division. He was deployed to Kuwait for routine training in September of 2002.

Thomas was scheduled to come home on March 20, the day after the strike began. Many people have seen on the news about the 3rd Infantry moving toward Baghdad. That is what he faces every day.

He doesn’t want to hurt anyone, but he wants to do what is right, his parents said.

“I believe as a Christian we have to fight the devil every day. These people have to be set free from an evil person,” said Tony’s father.

Worrying and waiting

The worrisome wait continues as the war intensifies. Thomas’ 3rd Infantry Division is leading the assault today on Baghdad.

Tony and Sheila Thomas watch and record FOX every day for war updates. They try to stay busy and not too focused on the TV, but curiosity usually brings them back.

They continue to write letters to Tony daily, even though he isn’t able to receive them at this time. His grandmother, Catherine Thomas, stands proud, in honor of her grandson.

Kerrie Thomas, 25, will marry Tony for the second time upon his return. The two were previously divorced, but reconciled.

Kerrie says at times it is difficult for her and her son without Tony, but they know other people are in the same situation.

“I support him completely,” she says.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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