It's been a year Bro but it still hurts like it was yesterday. There's no way I can express what you mean to me. I just don't have the words. I was lucky to have you as my friend and I really miss you. Save me a seat and a cold beer on the boat and don't catch them all before I get there. Love and miss you Brother.   

I first met Tom while stationed at NAS Whidbey Island in 1983.  I was an AQAN (E3) and Tom was an AE1 (E6). We quickly became best friends for life despite the Navy not looking fondly on our difference in rank. Tom not only changed my life, he saved my life. Due to him, I fathered a son and a daughter and have a grandson and a granddaughter. None of us would be here if not for Tom. My family line would have ended years ago. I had a very successful 35 year career in Federal and Florida Law Enforcement as a Correctional Sergeant, a federal Special Agent, and retired as a Lieutenant from my local Sheriff's Office all because of lessons I  learned  from Tom - Have good ethics and morales, be organized, punctual and most importantly - always be a good man. Without those lessons he taught me, only God knows where I would have ended up. We lost touch for awhile but reconnected and it was as if no time had passed. It felt as if we were both in our 20's again. We laughed, fished, ate, drank, joked around, had fun recalling memories and most of all just being with our best friend again after all the years apart. Tom was not only a good man and my best friend, he was my brother.