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USMC Corporal Thomas "Tommy" Jardas 1993 - 2016 |
Note: You can access an audio/visual representation of the first five paragraphs of this blog post by clicking this link. Your device volume should be up to view the video.
Do you savor special memories and competing sensations as
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Photo courtesy of Fox News |
Now, can you imagine? You’re a mom, or Dad. You’re getting ready for work and you turn on the Today Show. You’re not totally paying attention, but your antennae always go up when there’s a story on the military. Of course; your 22-year-old son is a Marine stationed thousands of miles away.
Your preparations for work slow down, become trance-like,
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Beth Haely & Tommy Jardas- Photo courtesy of Brian Johnson |
Can you imagine the next 11 hours, as you futilely seek
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Sikorsky CH 53E Super Stallion |
The rescue mission is underway. Six days, six long days and endless nights the mission sustains your limbo. Hope and
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Photo courtesy of Stacy Henson- News-Press |
How might you feel, as a parent, sibling, friend, driving past
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Tommy, Beth, & Haely |
Although moved by all untimely deaths that penetrate my consciousness, finding out that Tommy’s potential would
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T. A. & Con back in the day |
As members of our tennis community are rallying around
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Screen shot of GoFundMe page for Tommy's fund initiated by Gina Cuoco-Barfield |
The original concept of the memorial project has grown; in fact, tripled in size. Initially consisting of a flagpole and
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Cypress Lake High Memorial in Progress- Photo courtesy of Beth Haely's Facebook page |
The completion of that funding effort is drawing nigh, but
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Flyer courtesy of Brian Johnson |
The event is primarily a Cypress Lake member social, but guests and their checkbooks are welcome. There will be round robin tennis, racquet demos, silent auction, clinics, and a 50/50 raffle to make the giving fun. Court Sponsorships are still available, and you can always give above the suggested donation of $25 if you so desire. For general questions on the event, please contact Cypress Lake Country Club at 239-481-1333. If you have questions about items for the Silent Auction, please contact Beth Haely at 239-271-0009 or bhaely@yahoo.com
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In any event, if you aren’t a Cypress Lake member, and don’t
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The late Charles "Van" Middlesworth with Alex Hermeto (right) at an FGCU Eagles match |