Thomas Garret Fanning

Sergeant
A CO, 1ST BN, 14TH INFANTRY RGT, 25 INF DIV
Army Of The United States
21 February 1943 - 06 May 1967
Seattle, WA
Panel 19E Line 049

25 INF DIV

14th Infantry Regiment
Combat Infantry

Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Service

The database page for Thomas Garret Fanning

Fanning holding his god-daughter Kim
Fanning holding his god-daughter Kim
To the Godfather I didn't get to know. He must have been real special for my parents to know he would be the man to take care of me if something happened to my Dad but instead it happened to him when he was protecting our country.

This is my way to let America know he was there.

A memorial from his Goddaughter,
Kimberly Steinke
sunnyslopers@sinclair.net 
10 Mar 2001


Thomas Garret Fanning
Sergeant, United States Army
is remembered by his comrades of the
1st of the 14th Infantry



Nine years ago, as my husband was preparing to leave for his Army Basic Training, we decided to visit the local military cemetery for the 4th of July Celebration. While walking and talking we began to discuss how important it was to each of us that once we had children they have an appreciation for those who served and died as part of the Viet Nam Conflict. We decided to each adopt a headstone and care for it and through our visits we would be able to teach our future children about commitment and concern as well as a better understanding of the sacrifice these individuals gave for their country. Each of us selected a person's headstone.

For individual (personal) reasons, I selected Thomas G. Fanning - we shared the common birthdate of 21 FEB - and from the moment I chose him, it was as if we had a lasting connection. Since that time, Steve and I have welcomed twins into our lives who regularly accompany us to visit Thomas. Five years ago, while visiting D.C. on business, I took the time to visit the Viet Nam Memorial with a small gift for Thomas. I left a photo of Thomas's headstone along with a copy of the story of how I came to know him through our visits to the cemetery - I then took a rubbing of his name off the wall which upon my return to Seattle I left at his headstone.

I'm not sure it's possible to have a friendship with someone you've never met or who passed from this world before you were even born, however through this experience, I feel as though I have known Thomas and hope that as he lives on in our family's visits he has recieved some comfort and joy.

Thank you, Thomas, for becoming a part of our family in this small way.

A memorial from a friend,
Chris Kunzelman
BowkerTwin@aol.com 
30 Apr 2001




A memorial from his Goddaughter,
Kimberly Steinke
sunnyslopers@sinclair.net 
10 Mar 2001

Updated to include a friend,
Chris Kunzelman
BowkerTwin@aol.com 
30 Apr 2001



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)