1st Lt. Pete Thompson

Notre Dame High, West Point grad leads his platoon in Basrah.

By John Williams, BucksLocalNews.com

The spark that ignited the fire was small, just a simple newsletter.

“It caught my attention,” said Lower Makefield resident Lois Tragone. “I told my son, Jeff, that we had to do something.”

The newsletter was produced and sent by 1st Lt. Pete Thompson, a high school friend of Tragone’s son Jeff, as a form of communication for family and friends at home.

“People were interested in their progress in Iraq,” Tragone said, “so the newsletter highlighted what was going on, where they were stationed and so-on.”

Pete and Jeff attended Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and graduated in 2005.
Upon graduation, Pete had mentioned that he wanted to join the military and was, in due course, accepted to West Point Military Academy in southeastern New York State.

“(Pete and I) met during our freshman year and have kept in touch to this day,” Jeff said of his friend. “He was the type of kid that you could tell was ‘going places.’ Even at such a young age, he was a man on a mission - had a good head on his shoulders, hung out with the right people and was loved by all the teachers and staff.”

While at Notre Dame, 1st Lt. Thompson was also a standout track and field athlete and
He studied Systems Engineering at West Point and participated in extensive training and graduated with top honors. Before leaving West Point, 1st Lt. Thompson was designated as commander of his platoon – Unit 107. He was deployed to Iraq about two months later and is currently stationed in Basrah with his platoon.
Pete’s tour of duty in the Middle East began in February. He is slated to stay for 12 months.

“I'm sure Pete won't be done after tour number one,” Jeff speculated.

“At 24 years old, he’s already a platoon leader,” Tragone said, “and there are guys in his platoon that are much older than him. It’s a lot of responsibility for a young man, but he takes everything in stride and is such a great kid.”

Inspired to do something bigger-than-herself and to provide basic necessities that Pete and his platoon needed, Tragone sent out a few e-mails. It started with her e-mail addresses contact list and before long, a small ground swelling of support had spawned. She did not expect her idea to take off like it did.

In an open letter to the public on her grassroots organization’s website, SoldierStuff.org, Tragone writes that some men under Pete’s command will not receive a single letter of encouragement or even a piece of food during their tour of duty.

“He respectfully asks that any or all of us who are able,” Tragone writes, “please send some necessities or pleasantries to these young men.

“I sent one email to everyone on my contact list – about 10 or 12 people – and before I was even finished doing it my doorbell rings and my old neighbor drops off a box of stuff at my doorstep. Many people offered help and were interested in getting involved.”

Tragone described Pete as a smart and athletic individual who could light up the room with his smile and who, most importantly, is goal oriented.

Tragone enlisted the guidance and help of family friend and Lower Makefield Supervisor, Ron Smith. E-mail blasts were sent out and soon enough, Tragone got another surprise.

“One man emailed me to let me know that he had setup a website,” she said. “I thought to myself ‘What am I going to do now? The donations started coming in fast, so I opened up my living room and closed it off. Now, it’s my workshop, so to speak.”

Some of the necessities that 1st Lt. Thompson and his platoon use on an almost daily basis range anywhere from baby wipes (the only “shower” they get for a few days sometimes), beef jerky, sunflower seeds, toothbrushes and toothpaste – which are not only used for dental hygiene, but to clean their rifles.

Ground coffee is always a hit, said Tragone.

“It’s almost like treat,” she said, “to get a real cup of coffee. The troops also ask for fruit rollups so when they’re out on patrol they can give it to the local children. With the blistering heat almost year round, lip baum and moisturizer are essential, including sunscreen.

Some other items include batteries, packs of crystal light and propel and swiffer brooms. For a complete list, visit SoldierStuff.org.

In a little over a month, 14 boxes have already been sent and another 19 are packed, labeled and ready to go.

“I probably have another 15 to 20 boxes that could be packed and ready to go at anytime,” Tragone said, while sifting through a box filled with classic car magazines.

“We put so much importance on the wrong things anymore,” she said. We get mad because a hospital is going to be put in down the street, but that’s what people think are a priority. It upsets me. I think I’m getting more joy out of doing this than anything I’ve ever done.”

“He is a great kid, a true friend and someone who would always help you out,” Jeff eloquently said about Pete. “He will give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He is a true leader and we wish him all the best.”