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We are on the brink of 2009 and as I look back over 2008 I wanted to pay tribute to my friend and colleague, James who was tragically killed by an explosion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in May.
Tomo, served with the SAS and he was the kind of guy you knew you could count on without question. He also had a wonderful mischievous side and he could light up a room with his smile.
I took a series of portraits of Tomo before he left for Afghanistan, which I was glad to be able to give to his family. The pictures have been used at several formal remembrance events.
Please feel free to leave a comment.
Wishing you a peaceful and happy new year. Take care of yourselves and each other.
PS. I am able to mention James served with Special Forces as this information is already in the public domain.
| Recording media: | JPEG (digital) |
| Title: | Tomo 1981-2008 |
| Username: | 
paul_indigo |
| Uploaded: | 31 Dec 2008 - 3:19 PM |
| Tags: | Black & white, Photo journalism, Portraits / people |
| VS Mode Rating |
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| Votes: | 16 |
Comments
I myself am an ex serviceman and have been in the general area in the past with Helicopters.
As i live in Birmingham i often see the flights coming in from Afghanistan every week.
I am glad you have remembered your friend and what he has done.For there are so many who do not understand or do not want to understand,due to peer pressure from people who do not know all the facts and make asumptions.
A fitting tribute.
Nice, relaxed portrait. Such a sad loss of a young life. My thoughts go to his family and loved ones in what will be a difficult time for them, as well as all others living in danger zones across this cazy world we live in.
Happy New Year to you, Paul.
Colin
So many beautiful lives sacrificed serving and defending our freedoms... !!! beautiful tribute and portrait.... best wishes to his family ... a friend of my daughters was killed in the very same region Xmas eve...!!! we must never forget the tragic results of war...!
Nikki !
War is a horrible thing. It's a shame that we can't live as one family on this small, vulnerable planet.
It's a really good portrait and I can see the mischievous character revealed by that sparkle in Tomo's eyes.
Thanks for a fitting tribute.
I hope you have a safe and happy New Year, along with all your colleagues who put yourselves in harms way on our behalf!
Cheers, Goggz
Mere words can never express what our armed forces do for us and the sacrifices they make on our behalf.
Your picture might just help people see the human side to a war that is all but forgotten by many.
Hopefully his family and friends can draw some solace from the knowledge that there are people who do care and will remember.
Ian
Tomo lived life to the full, always there with a joke and ready to help with an endless abundance of energy. He was totally serious and professional when he had to be and great fun the rest of the time. Within five minutes of walking into a room he would have made friends with everyone. He was not anything like the media stereotype of special forces.
He would have appreciated your comments. I am sure his mother, father and brothers will too. So thank you for sharing in this tribute to him and the men and women serving in the armed forces.
Hi Paul, sorry to hear about your friend - although bound to have read the report in the newspaper but it can seem remote (but no less sad) if the news doesn't affect you. Am ex-forces myself and have great respect for all serving personnel; as I think most people do even if they don't agree about the existing missions. Best wishes to you - the photo is a fitting tribute to Tomo. Chris
Nice tribute to your friend Paul and the power of photography will bring back all the times you shared.
Ricardo
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