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If Tomorrow Starts
Without You
By Chazzidy Lackmann
Written for my Uncle Peter
Tocci
If
tomorrow starts with out you
and
I’m not there to see,
if
the sun should rise and find my eyes all filled with tears for you
I
wish so much you wouldn't cry the way I did today,
while
thinking the many things we didn't get to say
I
know how much you love me - - - as much as I love you
and
each time I think of you I know you'll miss me too.
But
when tomorrow starts without you
I'll
try to understand that an angel came and called your name
and
took you by the hand.
Said
your place is ready in heavens far above,
that
you'd have to leave behind all those you dearly loved.
So
when you walked though heavens gates you felt so much at home when god
looked down and smiled at you,
from
his great golden throne
He
said this is eternity and all I've promised you for life on earth has passed - here
it starts.
I
promise NO tomorrow for today will always last.
Since
each day's the same way
there’s
NO longing for the past.
So
when tomorrow starts without you
don't
think we’re far apart.
For
every time I think of you I know
You’re
right here in my heart.
I love you Peter!
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Awards & Decorations
December 2001
Certificate of Commendation for Superior Performance of Duty while
attending the Noncommissioned officers course in Yuma,
Arizona. Outstanding Military Leadership, Conduct and
Personal Appearance were beyond reproach and earned Peter
"Noncommissioned Officers Course Honor Graduate" with a GPA of
95.56 percent.
June 2002 -
Certificate of Commendation for Superior Performance of duty
while assigned as a student, Marine
Security Guard School. Corporal Tocci demonstrated
qualities of outstanding military appearance, self discipline,
professional knowledge, alertness and courtesy recognized as traits of
Marine Security Guards at foreign service posts throughout the
World. Understanding the importance of mission security,
Corporal Tocci diligently applied himself to the challenges,
demands, and rigors of the class. His performance
while attending this school was militarily, academically, physically,
and morally noteworthy. He led his class of 68 students with
an average of 97.44
percent to become the Honor Graduate. Corporal
Tocci's achievements reflected great credit upon himself and were
in keeping with the highest traditions of the USMC.
Personal
Bio
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DOB: |
July 27, 1981
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Parents: |
Debbie Tocci, Chandler,
Arizona
Mark Tocci, Glendale, Arizona |
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Grand Parents: |
Norm & Barb Felde, Moorhead, Minnesota
Ray & Betty Tocci, Three Forks, Montana |
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Brothers: |
Dominic Mercurio,
Chandler, Arizona |
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Sisters: |
Angie Lackmann, Phoenix,
Arizona
Monica Brown, Kalispell, Montana
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Occupation: |
Private
Security Consultant working for DOS in Iraq. |
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Date Passed: |
Sept
19, 2005
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| Place of internment: |
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Comments:
Date:
Native of Billings killed in Iraq
Gazette Staff
A Billings native was killed Sept. 20 in an attack on a
U.S. diplomatic convoy in Mosul, Iraq, his family said in an obituary.
Peter J. Tocci, 24, of Chandler, Ariz., was reportedly
working as a private security guard assigned to the U.S. State
Department in Iraq when his convoy was attacked.
Further details were not provided and a family member
declined to comment.
Tocci, who was born in Billings, enlisted in the U.S.
Marine Corps in 1999, graduating from Marine Financial School and the
Marine Security Guard program.
He served at American embassies in Estonia and Uruguay
before his honorable discharge, as a sergeant, in February 2005. He
joined a private security company this summer.
His grandparents, Ray and Betty Tocci, live in Three
Forks. A man contacted by telephone at their home said Tocci left
Billings at the age of five.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Oct. 1 at the
First Baptist Church of Three Forks, 705 N. Main St., Three Forks.
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Comments from Peter's
Close Friends & Family
Received from Mrs Debbie Tocci
Date Received: 5/6/2006
It gives me a great sense of pride to share with you some of the
commendations and achievements my son Peter was awarded during his
service as a United States Marine and Marine Security Guard.
February 2001
- Appointed Private First Class
December 2001
Certificate of Commendation for Superior Performance of Duty while
attending the Noncommissioned officers course in Yuma,
Arizona. Outstanding Military Leadership, Conduct and
Personal Appearance were beyond reproach and earned Peter
"Noncommissioned Officers Course Honor Graduate"
with a GPA of 95.56 percent.
March 2001
- Appointed Lance Corporal
March 2001
- Achievement Award - In recognition of high endeavor and
superior accomplishments.
June 2002 -
Certificate of Commendation for Superior Performance of duty
while assigned as a student, Marine
Security Guard School. Corporal Tocci demonstrated
qualities of outstanding military appearance, self discipline,
professional knowledge, alertness and courtesy recognized as traits of
Marine Security Guards at foreign service posts throughout the
World. Understanding the importance of mission security,
Corporal Tocci diligently applied himself to the challenges,
demands, and rigors of the class. His performance
while attending this school was militarily, academically, physically,
and morally noteworthy. He led his class of 68 students with
an average of 97.44
percent to become the Honor Graduate. Corporal
Tocci's achievements reflected great credit upon himself and were
in keeping with the highest traditions of the USMC.
December 2002
- Appointed Sergeant
August 2003
- Good Conduct Medal for service as set forth on the following citation:
Throughout the period 7 August 2000 to 6 August 2003, you distinguished
yourself through exemplary personal and professional
conduct. This award is testament to your selfless
service and faithful adherence to the Corps' high
standards. You have honored your obligations,
displayed the courage of your convictions, and exhibited the
highest degree of commitment. Your dedication and
integrity reveal the depth of your character and are in keeping
with the finest traditions of the USMC.
August 2003
- Superior Physical Performance Award
This is to certify that Sergeant Peter J. Tocci while serving with
Alpha Company Marine Security Guard Battalion at the American Embassy Tallinn, Estonia
has achieved a superior level of physical performance by scoring
286 points on the USMC Physical Fitness Test.
Excerpts from a
recommendation letter by the Regional Security Officer in Montevideo Uruguay:
Sgt. Tocci demonstrated considerable acumen in making the MSG ISMT
system operational. This computer driven shooting
simulator had not been operational in several years. It was
a $30,000 dust magnet on which his predecessor Marines had given
up. As training NCO, Sgt. Tocci was determined to make
it work although computers were not part of his MOS. In
the space of a couple of weeks he had connected the components,
contacted the manufacturer, troubleshot it, and brought it to
full operational readiness. In fact during a
semi-annual inpsection the inspecting officer cited Sgt. Tocci as the
best training NCO in the Company.
Due to his intelligence, experience, and leadership skills, Sgt. Tocci
was selected to serve as Assistant
Detachment Commander. In this position he not
only was responsible for his own duties and watches but also had
supervisory authority over several Marines. Excerpts from a
recommendation letter from the Deputy Chief of Mission: Sgt.
Tocci is a strongly motivated individual who performs his duties with a
high level of professionalism. Peter had been Honor
Graduate at the Military Occupational Specialty School in 2000 as
well as Honor Graduate at
the Corporal's course and honor graduate at the Marine Security Guard
School. In
addition to his scholastic achievements, Sgt. Tocci has received
meritorious promotions and he has worked exceedingly well with
his colleagues. Peter has the ingelligence,
perseverance and ambition to serve his country with honor as a
Marine Corps Officer.
Excerpts from a
letter from the Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security:
" He was a dedicated professional who was committed to the service of
his country. We mourn the loss of Peter, who gave the
ultimate sacrifice in this fight for freedom. Peter was killed September 19, 2005 In Mosul
Iraq by a suicide bomber. Peter was the driver of the
middle vehicle in a U.S. diplomatic motorcade of 3
vehicles. One of Peter's teammates said in an email to
us: On the morning that Peter gave his life, I was one
of the four that he saved with his move to block the car bomber
from the motorcade. If he hadn't made the move that he
did, my vehicle would have taken the hit. He died a Hero! "
Thank you for the opportunity to share my son with you.
Debbie Tocci
Peter's Mom
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From The Uraguayan American Football Web Site
Homanaje Page
September, Sunday 25th,
2005
Good Bye Pete!!!
Pete Tocci, US Marine, died last week in
Iraq.
Pete, who came to Uruguay with a group of Marines
lead by Sgt. Wesley Moran, worked more than a year for the US Embassy in
Uruguay and was fundamental to our american football project and
league.
When he finished his contract as a Marine and retired
from the military some months ago, he went back home to Arizona. However, he
went to work for a security company called Blackwater in Iraq where he was
killed doing his job.
Pete got to play flag football games with many actual
players of the UXFFF and had made an incredible friendship with many of them,
mostly with the league Staff.
We will always remember the day when the tackle
equipment arrived to Uruguay and there was Pete bringing the equipment to
daylight giving new life to american football in our country.
The ones who knew him will remember him like that, like
an excellent player, an incredible Marine and a better person, a funny and happy
Pete, always willing to help the others and to defend his country under any
circumstances.
Good bye Pete!!! The UXFFF will always have you with
the best of our memories and let the prayers of our players and Staff, go to
your whole family as an homage to one of the persons and friend whom we will
always be in debt with.
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Additional Information:
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