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They have a reputation of being the toughest and that’s what drew Thomas to the Marines. He wanted that tough challenge and he wanted the action. Hero Stars Honors Our American Hero Lance Corporal Thomas E. Rivers, US Marine Corps Hometown: Hoover, Alabama Thomas Rivers had no doubts in his mind that he wanted to be a Marine when he graduated from Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham in 2007 Thomas Rivers grew up slight, at 5-foot-8, but bulked up in high school and played football in Hoover, a suburb of Birmingham. In eighth grade, he wrote an essay about wanting to become a Marine. He collected Marine T-shirts and posters and, like Cpl. Proctor, reported to boot camp after graduation. Due to a lack of motivation, Thomas struggled in high school until a recruiter told him he needed a diploma to enlist. After that conversation, low grades and motivation were not a problem. He graduated in 2007 and fulfilled his dream by joining the Marines two weeks later. Thomas Rivers stuck to his strong values in the unforgiving humidity of South Carolina’s Parris Island. Thomas was ready to defend his country. America took the war to the terrorists overseas and Thomas was deployed to Iraq in July of 2008. After a year of further training, word came that the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division of the II Marine Expeditionary Force was needed in Afghanistan. LCpl Rivers was a team leader. The young Marine, now almost 22, with one combat tour under his belt, prepared for another deployment with the same focus, faith and strength that guided him through Iraq. Marine Lance Cpl. Thomas E. Rivers Jr. Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died April 28, 2010 by a roadside bomb while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Thomas Rivers was a young man of dedication, a leader of men, a big team, little me kind of guy. Let the memory of Thomas E. Rivers be with us forever.....
2010 Deployment to Afghanistan
1st Battalion 2d Marine Regiment
Camp Lejeune, N.C.
KIA: April 28, 2010 in Helmand province, Afghanistan
“I’ve wanted to be a Marine since I was ten-years-old,” Thomas Rivers wrote in a high school essay. “I believe joining the Marines would be a good experience for me because it will teach me to rely on God to make it through.” Both grandfathers served in the military and after 9/11, Thomas wanted to represent his family in protecting America. He wrote in his journal that he knew God called him to be a Warrior. There was never any doubt.
Due to a lack of motivation, Thomas struggled in high school until a recruiter told him he needed a diploma to enlist. After that conversation, low grades and motivation were not a problem. He graduated in 2007 and fulfilled his dream by joining the Marines two weeks later.
Rivers stuck to his strong values in the unforgiving humidity of South Carolina’s Parris Island. “He joined the Marines as a kid,” his father said, “but graduated a strong Warrior. I almost didn’t recognize him when I saw him at his graduation.” Thomas was ready to defend his country.
America took the war to the terrorists overseas and Thomas was deployed to Iraq in July of 2008. The raw desert heat of war-torn Iraq further sharpened him into a true leader. He returned home to the relief of his parents in March 2009.
After a year of further training, word came that the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division of the II Marine Expeditionary Force was needed in Afghanistan. LCpl Rivers was a team leader. The young Marine, now almost 22, with one combat tour under his belt, prepared for another deployment with the same focus, faith and strength that guided him through Iraq. In the final hours before he left, he held hands with his sister, mom and dad and prayed. In the pit of her stomach, his mother feared it would be the last time she would ever pray with her son.
~ This is an excerpt from the booklet “In the Shadow’ which is a dedication of LCpl River’s life and his commitment to his Savior. If you would like a copy of ‘In the Shadow’ please contact Dr. Rivers, Sr. at Tom.Rivers733 @ yahoo.com (remove the spaces)