Family Releases Recording of PFC Tommy Tucker's Last Call Home (Audio)

(MADRAS) - Private 1st Class Thomas Tucker joined the U.S. Army in July 2002, stating that he wanted to do something positive and was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky as a member of B Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.

In a recent telephone message that remains on their telephone answering machine, Thomas sent the following greeting. "Be proud of me Mom, I'm defending my country. Tell sis and my nephews hello for me, I'm OK, I'm on my way."

The Tucker family is waiting the arrival of the team from the Department of the Army and DoD with additional information on the actions being taken by the Army in this situation.

Wesley and Margaret Tucker and the rest of the family wish to express their deepest gratitude to the communities of Madras and Central Oregon for their wonderful support during this time of stress and uncertainty. The Sheriff's Office has and is continuing to provide support to allow them time to deal with the information received and that continues to come to them regarding the disappearance of their son."

They further would like to express their greatest appreciation to all who have contacted them with their offers of support and understanding. The community has been a terrific aid to them in this time of uncertainty. From the flags placed in the yard and around town to the prayers and words of encouragement.

They also request that people around the nation pause at 10:00 AM everyday to remember the soldier lost in this action and to pray for the two soldiers yet to be returned to their families.

"We are praying for the safe return of our son, Tom, and Pvt. 1st Class Kristian Menchaca and our deepest sympathy is with the family of Spc. David Babineau."

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Comments

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Anonymous October 24, 2007 9:12 pm (Pacific time)

Many people may not know that your son sacrificed his life so that others may live. but i am one of those who did notice. i thank your son, for his bravery, heart and inner strenght, without people like him there would be no america . thank you for everyones safety

someone May 29, 2007 5:33 pm (Pacific time)

why do people have to bring political views into the death of a man. this isn't about weather the war is wrong or right it isnt about bush or anything like that. it is about Tom. an innocent man who was murdered by some ragheads. it makes me sick that people could say some of the things they are saying. REST IN PEACE THOMAS. and my condolences to the family of this brave soldier.

michelle / massachusetts May 3, 2007 10:35 pm (Pacific time)

although i did not know these two young men, i will never forget their courage and what they endured to protect all of us from the evil these savages delight in. these young men sacrificed themselves to protect all of us from those bloodthirsty devils and anyone who uses their deaths to make a political statement are as evil as the savages that tortured and murdered them. these two young mens lives, along with all the others who have been murdered or wounded, were more precious than that of any iraqi civilian or terrorist, and anyone who thinks otherwise should take their sympathies and politics to iraq because they also are our enemies.

zalupa March 1, 2007 2:33 pm (Pacific time)

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marla December 20, 2006 9:05 am (Pacific time)

hello Tucker family.My family and i were deeply saddened by the lose of your son.we lived in ca when we heard about thomas. i am truly sorry.

aaron lewis August 19, 2006 2:06 am (Pacific time)

I knew Tom and his sister growing up in Metolius. He was a good kid and always made me laugh. When I heard the news it was like numbing shock of disbelief. My condolences to the Tucker family....God bless!

james snellings July 26, 2006 1:28 pm (Pacific time)

u know what i live in the same town as tom and i grow up with him.him and my brothe kevin moran were like best buddys..and now my brother kevin is in germany serving our contry.and the most thing i wont to say is we love you tom and i saport out troops cuz im gana be one soon...god bless the u.s.a -james snelling

Brian USMC July 15, 2006 12:56 pm (Pacific time)

The 4th of July came and went. I looked at the flag raised on my parents mast that day. All I do now is think of these two soldiers especially....What they went through, what I'd like to do to an insurgent. Please God, let me back in the Corp!!

Todd - TN July 13, 2006 9:58 pm (Pacific time)

PFC Tommy Tucker has given all he had to give in defending us and our freedom. The world has sacrificed another good life and good solder to make the world a better place for all mankind. I weep for the loss that we share with his family and friends. I can only imagine the pain that his loved ones must feel as we hear this hero's echo of bravery, honor and decency.

Gilson/São Paulo/Brasil July 11, 2006 6:35 am (Pacific time)

Simplesmente dizer que, sentimos muito a perda dessas duas famílias é muito pouco. As perdas nesta guerra quase sem sentido abalam o mundo todo. Nos damos conta que pequenas coisas nos fazem tanta falta, um sorriso, o regresso da escola, do trabalho, as dúvidas e até mesmo os conflitos. Tenho absoluta certeza de que onde estão, não deixam de olhar para as suas famílias. Rezo para que seu governo ouça o apelo destas famílias feridas por decisões políticas infundadas e tragam de volta seus filhos, maridos, pais, esposas, irmãos... Que Deus os abençõe. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This post translates roughly in English to... Simply stated, we feel the loss of these two families. The losses in this almost meaningless war shake all of the world. When we account for them we think of the small things that we lack, a smile, the return of school, of work, the doubts and even the conflicts. I have absolute certainty of where that is, they do not leave of looking at for its families. I pray so that its government hears appeals of these families wounded for decisions of baseless politics and brings in return its children, husbands, parents, wives, brothers… That God abençõe.

Richard Backlund July 7, 2006 1:20 pm (Pacific time)

Our hearts go out to you during this very difficult time. We can't imagine what you must be feeling about the circumstances resulting in your son's death. We lost our grandson, Lcp John T. Schmidt III, last May 2005 due to wounds he suffered in Iraq on January 29, 2005. We share your grief and pain . . . . we are still trying to recover from our loss and grief. Jean and Richard Backlund St. Augustine Beach, FL.

4 July 06, Wounded heart(SGT July 3, 2006 11:35 pm (Pacific time)

My heart goes out to the families. I am a memeber of these two soldiers unit and I am so sorry we couldn't get to them in time.. May God continue to watch over the families of both soldiers. To both PFC Tucker and PFC Menchaca Look down on us and shine the light for your brothers and sisters of 101st. God's Speed. You are my hero's!!

A Scottish Surgeon July 2, 2006 9:53 am (Pacific time)

Never doubt the honor of your fallen sons.They died for us all.God bless America now and forever.

marie/new jersey June 29, 2006 7:34 pm (Pacific time)

My sincere sympathy to the family of Pfc. Thomas Tucker. He is a true hero and must have showed great bravery. I wish this war could be fought differently so our soldiers do not have to die. Stop fighting a politically correct war. Fight it to win it or bring them home. No one should have to die this way. I thank this soldier for what he has done for this country but am so sorry for the great price he has paid.

John F Farrell June 28, 2006 1:58 pm (Pacific time)

I wiil always carry thomas and Kristian in my thoughts and prayers.I am Proud to have served in CoB 1/502 in 1968 and I know how proud these Troopers are. They have not fallen but have risen to the heights we can only imagine.God Bless and Thank You.

Anonymous June 27, 2006 6:19 pm (Pacific time)

I can only pray that the tears that I have shed over the death of these two young, brave men can somehow comfort the hearts of the loved ones who mourn their loss. These two young me, Thomas and Kristian, have passed into the arms of God in the most heroic and brave way possible. Heaven is truly heaven with individuals such as these two young men there. God bless, protect, and comfort our men, women, and families of the United States Armed Services. We owe them a debt we can never repay.

Tamar June 26, 2006 2:15 pm (Pacific time)

I just want to say to the families of Tucker and Menchaca to never lose faith and give in to despair. That is exactly what the terrorists want you to do. Always know that your sons died fighting for something they believed in and will always have the love of their brothers and sisters still serving in the military and those retired. They will never be forgotten. They are the true heroes of this nation. My prayers are with you all.

Cindy/Hernando MS June 25, 2006 9:16 pm (Pacific time)

My heart goes out to the family of Thomas Tucker. My son Pvt. Jacob Donaldson was in bootcamp with Pvt. Tucker and when he told me that this was the same young man he was there with my heart goes out to his family. It cost so much for our freedom in this country. I hope that everyone that reads this will pray daily for our service people and for this 2 families. Pray that the Lord will give them the strength and comfort they need during this time and the times to come. I am so very proud and grateful to all that service in the arm forces. Praise God we have men and women that are willing to service in this way for all of us. Our country needs to remember these men and women and their families for the price they are willing to pay for each of us. It breaks my heart that families have to go through this for freedom. My prayers and thoughts are with you. May the Lord give you exactly what you will need in the next months ahead. Thank you to the families for supporting your Soilders.

Barbara Dougan June 24, 2006 7:59 pm (Pacific time)

Freedom Is Not Free by Maj. Kelly Strong I watched the flag pass by one day, it fluttered in the breeze A young man in uniform saluted it, and then he stood at ease. I looked at him in uniform--so young, so tall, so proud. With hair cut square and eyes alert, he'd stand out in the crowd. I thought how many men like him had fallen through the years? How many died on foreign soil? How many mother's tears? How many pilots' planes shot down? How many died at sea? How many foxholes were soldiers' graves? No, freedom is not free. I heard the sound of taps one night, when everything was still. I listened to the bugler play and felt a sudden chill. I wondered just how many times that taps had meant "Amen" When a flag had draped a coffin of a brother or a friend I thought of all the children, of mothers and the wives Of fathers, sons and husbands, with interrupted lives. I thought about a graveyard at the bottom of the sea. Of unmarked graves in Arlington. No, freedom is not free. God bless Pfc. Thomas Tucker, an American hero, whose courage and commitment will never be forgotten.

1LT Smith June 24, 2006 5:06 am (Pacific time)

Sad, I am glad the family shared this though. The family and the nation should indeed be proud of these Soldiers and of all Servicemen who are serving.

Todd/ Washington state June 23, 2006 7:56 pm (Pacific time)

May the memory of my fallen brother in arms reamin forever until the end of time. Those who call themselves "freedom fighters" will never know the bitter sweetness of freedom. The soldier is what allows us the ability to stand up and speak our minds, may we honor forever his memory.

Leslie June 23, 2006 2:04 pm (Pacific time)

I offer the prayer that God was holding these two soldiers in his arms as they suffered at the hands of cowards who won't fight straight up like MEN. My husband, my daughter, my son and 3 nephews were in uniform in 2003, I know the sacrifice that all of American soldiers and their Families give for their country. God Bless these young soldiers and their families. And may God forgive those here in America who are so angry that they would make a place to offer condolences, a political forum.

J and T USMC North Carolina June 23, 2006 1:51 pm (Pacific time)

Your beautiful son Thomas Tucker is an angel in heaven now..guarding the most beautiful streets in the world. May God be with all of you and may you always cherish the memories of your soldier. May his brave soul rest in peace....Sincerely and with love, The sister of a Fallen Marine.... *T*

debra abbate June 23, 2006 8:54 am (Pacific time)

I have cried with you and I am praying with you. This Sunday at mass I will offer the rosary for these two brave, noble men. My heart breaks.

zeena/south of iraq June 23, 2006 3:43 am (Pacific time)

i am so sorry for what happened my heart with thomas and kristian families.may god bless their souls.

Donna Schoenrock June 22, 2006 8:53 pm (Pacific time)

May God bless and comfort you Pfc. Thomas Lowell Tucker and Pfc. Kristian Menchaca! You were the best of us with your patriotism, love of Country and courage to serve. You volunteered and then gave your lives for a cause worth fighting for - liberation, freedom and protection. I pray you both are walking on streets of gold with Jesus Christ by your sides. You have reached your forever home where you will be eternally happy. May no memory exist of how you reached your destination and may your murderers reap a punishment they deserve. Also, it is a travesty that men like Pfc. Thomas Lowell Tucker and Pfc. Kristian Menchaca die while the likes of certain others go on and on, safe and free because of the great sacrifice from men and women better than themselves.

Ann June 22, 2006 5:48 pm (Pacific time)

I am so sorry for all that the parents and families have had to face. I prayed for Thomas and Kristian for their strength for what they would probably endure from these savages. We must back our brave military.

Katherine June 22, 2006 5:40 am (Pacific time)

You have my deepest sympathies and condolences for your very great loss. I know nothing that any of us can say will ever mitigate the grief you feel, but I hope you can find comfort in the honour that the good people of our country feel in him for both his service and his sacrifice. Your son made the greatest sacrifice in living up to the highest ideals that America represents. Many will try to rob you of this - but ignore their bile, hatred, and malice; it's all they have. The worthy know their own, and we know our soldiers for their greatness and their hard work, and their dedication to a difficult cause: trying to help people who may not even know how desperately they need it, and will most likely never be able to show any true gratitude for it. No death over there, not your son's or anyone's has been made in vain. They died trying to get rid of the people who would, given the opportunity, kill everyone who doesn't fit into their very narrow view of islam (ie. "them"). I honour you for raising such a son, and I hope that somewhere through your sorrow (as I hope for families and friends of all the slain soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors everywhere), you can find a shred of comfort in the appreciation of knowing and grateful people for him.

Anonymous Soldier/Baghdad, I June 22, 2006 2:02 am (Pacific time)

We tried to get to them ... I am deeply sorry we failed ... I know this will not bring Thomas back, but soon they will here us again ...

sergio/El Paso Tx. June 21, 2006 2:29 pm (Pacific time)

My heart truely goes out to the families of these valient young men who have died in war I only have one think to say. Our church's pastor also has his son in the 101st.And we see the anguish and concern for their son and all the brave men and woman who are serving our country.So, thier is not one service in church that goes by that we not lift our prayers to God for the families and these soilder. God Bless and You are never Forgotten El Paso Texas.

Karen June 21, 2006 12:16 pm (Pacific time)

My heart goes out to the parents of these fine members of our military. They were true heroes and understood the need for resolution of this terrible war. May God bring peace to the families and reassurance that they are at rest.

Jimmy/Virginia June 20, 2006 8:08 pm (Pacific time)

My deepest sympathy for your loss.I am the father of a member of our Military. I think about every one of our people that have been KIA/Wounded. God Bless You and Your Family!There are with God

SHARON June 20, 2006 7:42 pm (Pacific time)

RESENTLY WE LOST A FELLOW SOLDER FROM A NEAR BY VILLAGE IN WI. I KNOW WHAT A TERRIBLE LOST THAT FAMILY FELT. I KNOW THAT GOD SENT EACH ONE OF THE YOUNG SOLDIERS KILLED AN ANGEL SO THAT THEY WERE NOT ALONE DURING THE TERRILBE INHUMAN ACT AGAIN'T THEM WEAS HAPPENING. MY GOD BLESS THOSE LEFT BEHIND AND KEEP THEM IN HIS GRACE.

P./wa state. June 20, 2006 7:35 pm (Pacific time)

The USofA is not fighting a war; we are occupying a foreign country. I mourn for the worthy lives lost to a greedy cause and pray that all soldiers be returned home safely. I support the troops but not the mislabeled, erroneous reason as to why our children offer their lives. Peace be with you.

Jeanette June 20, 2006 7:32 pm (Pacific time)

My husband served two tours in Iraq, and he was also part of the first wave of troops that who were deployed during the first Middle Eastern conflict/Desert Shield. My heart goes out to the families of the young soldiers who perished.... None of us want our children, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, husbands, or wives to pay that ultimate price, because no matter how you look at it, death and war hurts and destroys humanity on every level of life.... But yet we cannot allow extremists and terror groups to invade and dismantle the freedom and rights that we as Americans are blessed with todayâ€¦ As my heart filled with sorrow while reading this story, I kept trying to remind myself that "freedom is not free."

Renee June 20, 2006 7:25 pm (Pacific time)

My heart aches for the families of these two servicemen. I am a ARMY veteran and I understand the total committment of a soldier. These young men stood upon a solid oath that they made before God and this country....I commend their valor. They did what so many Americans don't have the nerve to do. I pray that Pres. Bush and Mr. Rumsfield read this. Please do not continue to take advantage of our fine young servicemembers. You see that they are completely willing to give their lives. This is exploitation like the American people have never seen before. How do you sleep and live with yourselves with all this blood on your hands? This country is pleading with you....Return these valiant men and women home to their families. No more death.

cc June 20, 2006 6:51 pm (Pacific time)

Why must innocent people and good soldiers suffer and die for an unrighteous cause??? We are not defending our freedoms, but the hell that is being unleashed on the Iraquis now and may come to this country is the result of that bogus jerk in the White House and his stupid cronies. We are all going to pay the price. Send Bush and his family to Iraq and have them go through this! Out of Iraq NOW!

Linda/Maryland June 20, 2006 6:34 pm (Pacific time)

So many young lives-as a mom, I can't imagine what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am glad to see the support for our service men and women that Nam vets did not receive but I believe in my heart that we were misled and are paying too high of a price. We do not understand their logic and we cannot continue to lose lives in a war we are far from winning.

Holly/Ft. Campbell June 20, 2006 5:43 pm (Pacific time)

My husband is also in the 101st, and I can only imagine the pain and heartbreak you are suffering. Please know there are complete strangers throughout the nation praying for you and your families. There isn't a day that goes by without my thoughts and prayers for all our brave servicemen, but the 101st members will always have a special place in my heart. A sidenote to all the non-knowledgebale civilans, we cannot just "bring them home". As bad as I want my husband to be home with me, we cannot just pull them out. If we pulled out troops now, every life lost would be in vain. We stay the course because we are the United States of America. -Proud 101st Army wife ...HOORAH!!!!!

nimo/Iliinois June 20 June 20, 2006 5:29 pm (Pacific time)

i'm sorry for all the innocent victims including the 2 soldiers. my prayers to their soles and their families. may peace be on earth, especially in iraq

gayle /georgia June 20, 2006 4:35 pm (Pacific time)

my prayers are going out for the soldiers that gave their life for their country. my son is currently in iraq, i can't even imagine how i could go through something so bad. may god be with you and i know that the us soldiers are angels among us.

roberts June 20, 2006 4:18 pm (Pacific time)

i cant imagine what was going through these soldiers minds when they got caught but i do know that whatever feelings they had it would be the same if i get caught. i'm in the army, and i feel like im losing my brothers and sisters everyday. my heart goes out to those who paid the price of freedom with their lives.

al/cleveland June 20, 2006 4:05 pm (Pacific time)

The 2 soldiers are heroes. They suffered and died for us.Like the 3rd stanza lyrics Ray Charles sang for God Bless America: "O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife; who more than self the country loved--and mercy more than life.I salute them.

Lynn - USA Missouri June 20, 2006 4:03 pm (Pacific time)

I would like to say how saorry I am for the loss of your family member. My brother was there for a year a I cried each and every day until he came home. I truly am sorry for your loss, the only thing you can say now is that at least he passed on doing what he loved and that is serving his country. I am proud of each and every one of our soldiers if it werent for them we would have NOTHING.

Irvin June 20, 2006 3:49 pm (Pacific time)

i cannot even begin to the families feel when a loved one is lost so i wont say that i do, but theres a hurt in us all, though i dont know the soldiers that have passed, i still love them and look up to them for doing a job that many of us wouldnt do or cannot, they are our hope to continued freedom. Though i believe that the US needs to put an end to it, i will continue to pray in hopes that one day in the very near future i will be standing near a road holding a sign "God bless our troops and welcome home" as they march on by....God Bless them all

Jh June 20, 2006 3:45 pm (Pacific time)

I have family and friends over there as well and my prayers and thoughts are with all the familes this is horriable we need to fucking blow that fucking hell hole up this is bull shit im angry hurt and crying as i write this listening to that mess touched a part of me that is so very hard to expain we are not ment to live like this nor die like this so i say either stop all of this or finish this country once and for all i mean we are giving saddam a chance to speak and defend himself what chance did our soliders have may god be with you all and angels watching over

BEV OSHEL June 20, 2006 1:26 pm (Pacific time)

i hate the pain the families of our soldiers are feeling, but if we don't stop the terrorists that pain will eventually be in our homes, streets, and world wide. why do terrorists find joy in causing such pain? i hope the families and soldiers of this country know how much i appreciate their dedication to their country and home protection so we all can remain safe in our country and homes. sincerely bev

khalid June 20, 2006 12:52 pm (Pacific time)

i am sorry for the us soldier, but what about those hundreds of thousands of civillians who are killed for nothing, and their blood is as precious as the american soldiers.

Justin June 20, 2006 12:37 pm (Pacific time)

As a Veteran I am sending my deepest condolences to the family. When is the United States going to start taking a stand. Wipe the Insurgents out already.

BS June 20, 2006 11:42 am (Pacific time)

Im truely sorry for another one of are soldiers die in vein i dont beleave in this war i cant say much because im the low man on the bottom so i do what im told and drive on but im truely sorry for the loss

Sandra/ washington State June 20, 2006 10:36 am (Pacific time)

It just I am heart broken over why we have to stay over there and see our men die every day and every minute. Wake up and send our living men and women back home.

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