BIRMINGHAM, AL, US
U.S. Marine Corps
LCPL, 1ST BN 2D MAR (RCT-2, I MEF FWD) 2D MAR DIV, CAMP LEJEUNE, NC
08/15/2005, HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Lance Corporal Thomas E. Rivers Jr. died April 28, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was twenty-two years old.
Thomas Rivers was from the Hoover-Birmingham, Alabama area and a 2007 graduate of Briarwood Christian School. While some kids wondered whether to go to college or where their future would lead them, Thomas was set on the right path for him. He fulfilled his life-long dream of serving his country as a U.S. Marine. He had already served a deployment in Iraq and was excited about being a Marine.
The goal of becoming a Marine helped him mature from a teen with a tough life, to a man on a mission. Honoring the counsel of those around him, Thomas Rivers came to family friend and clergy spokesperson to talk about his future once he had decided to become a Marine. Those who knew Thomas Rivers are proud of him and will keep him in their continual prayers.
The last two verses of Psalm 91, “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” This will be a continuing thought for the Rivers family and their friends.
Included in a tribute to Lance Corporal Rivers was this leadership statement made by US Marine Corps Commandant, General Charles C. Krulak. Thomas Rivers embodied these words:
“Excellence doesn’t just happen. It must be forged, tested and used. It must be passed down and woven into the very fabric of our soul until it becomes our nature.”
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