Marines remember fellow comrade

Photo By Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank | Marines pay their respects and consol the family at the Marine Memorial Chapel here to mourn the death of a fellow comrade March 15. Sgt. Thomas A. Elliott, 24, from Horseheads, N.Y., explosive ordnance disposal technician, Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, died from injuries sustained from off duty March 9.  

CAMP PENDLETON, CA, UNITED STATES

03.15.2010

Story by Cpl. Jacob A. Singsank 

1st Marine Logistics Group

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Family, friends and fellow service members gathered at the Marine Memorial Chapel here to remember a fellow comrade March 15.

Sgt. Thomas A. Elliott, 24, from Horseheads, N.Y., explosive ordnance disposal technician, Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, died from injuries sustained
while off duty March 9.

During the memorial, fellow service members spoke of Elliott's legacy as a Marine and his qualities as a friend.

"Tom was proud to be a Marine and to be doing the work that he did," said Sgt. Daniel L. McDonald, EOD technician, CLB-13. "He's the epitome of what living life to the fullest meant."

During the memorial, Marines spoke about Elliott's unique sense of humor that he shared with everyone.

"Tom was always making people laugh," said Sgt. Thomas M. Jones, EOD technician, CLB-13. "He can make a joke at any time or situation."

Service members who worked with Elliott shared how he could lighten any situation with his ability to find humor in any circumstance.

"If everyone was having the worst day of their life, Tom would have found something to say to make light of the situation," said Jones, 28, from Prescott, Ariz.

Jones added that Elliott was such an honest and trustworthy friend that people would let him babysit their kids or borrow their car for the weekend.

"Tom was valuable to a lot of people in a lot of different ways," said McDonald, 29, from Saginaw, Mich. "Men like him are far and few between."

• Date Taken: 03.15.2010
• Date Posted: 03.17.2010 13:24
• Story ID: 46799
• Location: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US