Memorial Fund Set-Up For Private First Class Thomas Tucker

An earlier version of this story stated that the fund would be used to bring Tom Tucker's body home. The U.S. Army says they pay the fees for the transportation, and it is not incumbent on the family to do so. We apoligize for the mistake.

Photo Courtesy: U.S. Army

(MADRAS) - Private first class Thomas Tucker lived a full and active life, thrived on adrenaline whether he was working construction in Oregon or manning checkpoints in Iraq. Word slowly spread Tuesday that his body and that of a Houston soldier had been found in Iraq. Both were tortured. On Wednesday, Tucker's father, Wes Tucker, was on N-B-C's Today show. He talked with pride about his son's enthusiasm and devotion to his work. In one of his last phone calls home, Tucker's mother, Meg Tucker, said on the Today show that she told him to get enough sleep. "He said, 'Mom, I've only been here for five months. These men have been here for a year.' He said, 'I don't mind. I don't mind. I will do my share.'" A memorial fund in Thomas Tucker`s name has been established to help the family with costs associated with his death. To help, send a check or money order to Columbia River Bank, PO BOX 0, Madras Oregon, 97741. The name on the account is The Bring Tommy Home Fund.

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welcome to 2 springhills tower tommy.you're a great dancer and a strong friend.cu 4 lunch!

This article misspoke.. the fund is really being set up primarily as a memorial fund / scholarship

It certainly seems unrealistic that the government would not pay for the expenses, but I have a hard time believing anyone is trying to pull one over. We are going to keep looking into it.

Unfortunately, the title of this account is misleading since any US soldier killed in a war zone will have their remains returned to their family at no charge to the family by the government. It is the least the US government can do. If the beneficiary on the bank account is the family of PFC Tucker, then I would give generously anyway. If the money goes to some unknown organization, then they should be prosecuted.

This is what I added the the Statesman-Urinal article Sound Back: I believe that is contrary to both military regulations and practice. This is what I found on a very quick search: www.cpol.army.mil/library/permiss/2541b.html "If employee dies away from area of residence, cost of transporting body to place of burial is paid." Someone is taking advantage of this situation - possibly unwittingly. US Code USC 8134 covers this situation - the military covers the expense of transportation and will also provide a headstone at the request of the famiy. So having the family pay would be in violation of federal law. Someone was misinformed. Also, the soldier, if he was halfway smart, had up to $400,000 in life insurance. There is no reason this ought to be a financial burden to the family - an emotional burden definitely, but not a financial one.

Fact is, Gov WILL return remains to home of record. I don't care much for creating a fund to accomplish what the Govt will pay for. Sympathy for the family X 10,0000,00000. but lets keep our observations and support realistic. Retired Army.

This is an out and out scam. Someone needs to be lined up against a wall and shot several times. The US Gov takes care of all burial costs.

The US Government will pay the cost of returning PFC Tucker's remains to his family.

Someone needs to check on that because the last I know, the Govt. did provide transport to home of record.

I am deeply sympathetic toward the family of Pfc. Tucker. But why is the Army not paying for the transport?

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