I am trying to contact Rich Peters from vietnam SEAL Team and later six. Can ask if somebody could give me a email or phone phone number for him.
Ron Rogers email: ibron@pacbell.net
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and Grand
CHildren Scott and Kathryn Blaison NOTE:
July
17, Services Followed by ST-2 Social; and Burial on July
18.
It is with great sadness that we announce
the passing of Thomas Edward Blais, 84, on 06 July 2014 in Virginia Beach,
Virginia.
Tom Graduated UDTR Training with Class 04 in Little Creek on 01 May 1949 and
served in UDT-2/21/22 and SEAL Team TWO. He also served, most notably, as Head
Instructor for UDTR Training.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR
THE MEMORIAL OF
THOMAS E. BLAIS
Thursday, 17 July 2014: 1430: Funeral Mass – JEB Little Creek Chapel 1600:
Reception – SEAL Team 2 Hangar Bay Friday,
18 July 2014: 1000 : Graveside Services with Military Honors Hampton National
Cemetery Emancipation Drive Hampton, VA 23667
EUGENE GLUHAREFF
TO ALL: Tom Blais was my favorite instructor where he demonstrated in
how to be part of a team. He was also instrumental for guiding me through
training, for which I will never forget. He stood out in how frogman should
be, and he was an example in how to be a leader and how to care for teammates
in the good times as well as the bad. He project strength to all that came in
contact with him. I will miss him, but surely he is with me in spirit. He is
now in the best place to be as his reward for all his good he has done. God
bless you, Tom.
Gene Gluhareff
Bill Langley
to me
Doc Rio,
I have no information from his daughter on Tom’s previous commands. However, you might put this information somewhere. Maybe on a photo caption.
Tom joined the Navy in 1947.
1949 Basic UDT Training Class 4
1949 Navy Deep Sea Diving School
1950 Navy Arctic Explosive and Diving Traing
1960 Navy Instructor “A” School
The rest were NSW schools that we all attended throughout our UDT/SEAL careers. The above are the main ones.
Your buddy, Bill
Robert Gormly
A true Legend has left us but his spirit lives on in all who fell under
his influence.
FROGFATHER [at] aol DOT com
to All,
His last gift to us was Jesus, in whom he finally found Truth and solace. A
fitting end to a complex journey..... and his last instruction to us.....
Honor him by giving Christ a second chance.
Gospeed Tom & thanks...
chris
wmlbishop [at] aol DOT com
to is Teammates,
This is the passing of a Navy SEAL through and through and an important
influence on all of us who knew him. R.I.P. Tom Blais.
Bill Bishop
A266OL@aol.com
Dear Teammates,
With deepest sorrow I must inform you that Instructor Tom Blais passed away
this evening at 9:53 p.m.. He died peacefully with family at his side. In the
last few days, Tom had taken turns really for the worst, and, as daughter Ri
just said - He'll now be leading the calisthenics in Heaven - GOD HELP THE
SAINTS!! More details as they arrive. Frank Jim, It took a little
time for me to get up the courage to call Tom and express my condolences about
Rock.
I had visited my old alma mater, SEAL Team 2, and had a wonderful
visit with Rock - the next XO of SEAL Team-2. I must tell you that Rock was
articulate, "in-shape", and a "rock-solid SEAL!" - all
that a father could ask for and a whole lot more!! Talking to Tom about the
loss of his son brought bitter tears to my eyes! But then, in typical Tom
Blais fashion, he told me how proud all of Rock's Teammates were of him and
all that he contributed to SEAL Team-2! Rock was the very best and more!! Your
great words and prayers are so appreciated!
Hi Bill, I just got off the phone with Ri. Tom took a
turn for the worse two days ago. As he was in considerable pain, they put him
on a larger dose of Morphine and Ativan as well. Knowing Stronger than Steel
Instructor Blais, that was not enough so yesterday they doubled the dosage of
Morphine. Also, Tom had been eating pretty well, but not so after the
setback. As I said to Ri, he will become dependant on the Morphine -
but, So What!!
Eva and Ri have done a wonderful job caring for their Dad, and, with
tears in her eyes, Ri told me that the end is very near. Ri and Eva asked that
I pass this on to all with their apologies for not responding to all the calls
and emails that they have gotten. I told them both that sure was not necessary
and I told them (From All of Us) that our everyday thoughts and prayers are
with them - Every Minute of Every Day! Hi Phil, Your great idea for our Class
Shirts now takes on "New Meaning" with the death of "Our
Mentor" - Instructor Tom Blais. Last Night was really hard. Both Doc Rio
and Bill Langley alerted me that the end was near.
I called Ri twice indicating all of our support and prayers were with all
of them. Ri called back around 11:15 pm to tell me that their Dad had just
died - very emotional night!! I will call Ri again tomorrow for Funeral
Details - but just want to give everyone a little rest for the
moment - Eva & Ri have sure been through a lot in taking such great care
of their Dad and they both need a little rest!
Phil, I was thinking that we would send Flowers from Our Class 32. Phil,
as you have been paying for all the costs of the T-shirts, please let me take
care of the flowers from all of us. I was thinking of a simple inscription:
" Instructor Tom Blais, YOU pushed us harder and trained us harder than
any other Class!! We shall all forever miss YOU! UDTR (BUDS) Class 32"
Please let me know if the words sound -OK? More later!
Best regards,
Frank Cleary
STEVE ELSON
to all our Teamates,
To: Jim Hawes. Thanks for getting the word out.
When I learned of CHIEF BLAIS’ move to hospice over two months ago, I became
very touched by a wonderful country song that is so perfect for this moment of
his passing. I attach that song. Listen to it and as difficult as it is for
many of with less than “20-20 hearing,” listen to the words or look them
up. That song is “DRINK A BEER” by Luke Bryan who dedicated it to two of
his younger siblings who died untimely early deaths. It brings tears but it
also leaves you with a smile and warm feeling. I had trouble copying it in,
but if you click the arrow on the left side of the bar below, it should
play. If not it is worth looking up on youtube and listening to.
x
Back in the “good old VN” days, when a Team Member was killed or died, we
used to joke that he “moved on to SEAL Team 3.” This meaning of this
phrase is often lost on those who came a few years after.
In the last week of Apr this year, I received a call from one of the most
impressive, beautiful, smart, and loyal persons who ever walked this earth,
EVA BLAIS ANDERSON. [Those of you who know Eva will know I understated her
character. When Eva was a teenager, she used to babysit our baby girl and we
loved her ever since.] Eva told me that her father had been moved from the
unassisted side of his facility to the assisted side and without his knowledge
had been placed in hospice care. I got the impression that MC Blais was on his
last legs. At the time I got her call I had several appointments for a dear
friend and WWII hero who fought in all the major battles of WWII (Normandy,
Hedgerow, Bastogne, Battle of the Bulge, Ardennes, and was in the first group
to cross the Rhine toward Berlin). I am his VA caregiver to make sure that the
Phoenix hospital didn’t murder him. I love him because in so many ways he
reminds me of MY CHIEF who probably saved my life more than once and
definitely kept me out of jail in VN. My dad was a yankee, a doctor, and a
pacifist, who didn’t understand me. When I joined the next platoon to deploy
to VN, Chief Blais became somewhat of a surrogate father to me. My
personality, though not as strong as his, was more in tune with Chief Blais’
than with my dad.
At any rate, I got my friend’s appointments taken care of, jumped on a 1730
plane out of Phoenix and flew to BWI where I rented a car and drove to the
facility where Chief Blais was “dying,” or so I thought. I expected him to
be flat on the bed, tubes in his arms, pallor on his face, and I just prayed I
made it time to say good-bye. I got to VA Beach about 0500 and waited until
daylight and “normal” visiting hours. I held my breath and walked into his
room. He sat up, started laughing, gave me one his famous bear hugs, and we
talked and laughed all day. I previously thought he’d be critical and if I
was lucky enough to make it while he was still alive, I’d be able to catch
him between naps, only he didn’t nap. He was the same ol ebullient,
gregarious Chief I had always known. It was like a reunion, seeing people who
meant and still do, e.g., Herschel, Ken McDonald, Sr Chief Jim Cook, et al,
plus I got to meet old Team guys I had only heard of but never met, e.g. Harry
Coleman. I missed seeing but did get to correspond with a great guy, Bill
Gardner, our VN Plt OIC and PT Smith. I even had the honor of talking to RUDY
one time. WHAT A GREAT TIME! So I stayed all day and much of the night
talking, laughing, and forgetting why I had come. Chief was still flirting
with the nurses and probably the most popular (notorious?) resident. When I
came in the side door one time, I had to stand in front of a camera and state
my business. When I said I was there to see Master Chief Blais, the lady on
the other end of the phone started laughing and said to give the Chief a big
hug from her. I left the next day knowing that would be the last time I got to
hug my Chief and spend quality time with him. I expected him to fade soon, but
he DIDN’T. He enjoyed himself and his friend so much. He kept saying how
much fun he was having. He spent time with his kids, Eva and Maria, as well as
their husbands and grandkids. I called Eva everyday expecting to hear that her
dad had headed on over to “ST-3.” That didn’t happen. His wonderful
friends called and visited. Herschel became something of a fixture and I think
the facility tried to hire him on to cheer up and straighten out other
residents. A few weeks ago, Eva told me that the doctor talked with her and
said he didn’t expect the Chief to last 24 hours. AGAIN that was a few weeks
ago. When the Chief continued to do well, the doctor told her it was in
God’s hands and the Chief was a living miracle. I told Eva that God may have
a schedule, but so did the Chief and would leave when he was ready (when the
fun stopped). The Chief continued to laugh, flirt with nurses, enjoy his
friends, and as he said, “have a good time.” The final few days were quite
different and hard with a lot of discomfort, eating problems, pain, difficulty
breathing, and anxiety. Eva and Maria (recovering from surgery) were there,
brave and supporting as always, and thinking only of their Dad, forgetting
their own feelings. Finally, it was apparent that the train to ST-3 was soon
to arrive, and on the night of Sunday, 06 Jul, it did. Excepting the last few
days of hospice, The CHIEF spent his last day ebullient, telling stories, and
serving as he always did, as a great role model of strength, courage, and
leadership. I know he did more to comfort me than I did him. I WILL miss him
but accepted it was his time to go, he would suffer no more -- and he did with
love, grace, and dignity.
I talked a good bit with Eva when I was there. She said she would like to have
a service or function where people just drank a few beers laughed, and told
stories about her crazy Dad. I don’t believe in funerals and shall be there
only in spirit; thus I want to share one my most memorable/meaningful stories
about THE CHIEF. We had formed the platoon deploying to Nha Be shortly before
Christmas 1969. We were still learning about each other in the platoon and
rapidly gaining that extra bond that glues a great fighting team together as
they go into combat. We had been to a number of schools and were doing some
patrolling at night in the cold waters/creeks of Little Creek. We were fired
up and ready to go. After we finished a late night evolution, the Chief said
he wanted to talk to the platoon and had us fall in the classroom. The chief
talked about many things that night, but the heart of his talk was about the
“gluing” that molded a disparate group of individuals into a homogenous
team when needed. He explained that we were all strong individuals and would
remain so, but while in Viet Nam we would become one. We’d know each other
in the dark by how we moved, that we’d know each others habits; each others
strong and weak points, etc. Finally he paused and quietly looked at the
group, silent for a moment. The he quietly and strongly said, “You know the
one thing we are going to do!
WE ARE GOING TO LOVE EACH OTHER!” I couldn’t believe my ears. I was
dicksmith, hadn’t had the privilege of going through training as had the
other members of my team. Sometimes I think that is what drove me to try
harder, sometimes to my own detriment. ALL of us had busted our tails to get
where we were and now our Platoon Chief, already a legend said, ”WE WERE
GOING TO LOVE EACH OTHER!” I remember thinking, “all this effort to get
here; a great bunch of teammates with whom to go into battle; and what does
the command do, “THEY GIVE US A PLATOON CHIEF WHO IS A DAMN QUEER! AW
CRAP.”
It didn’t take long being in-country before I fully understood what
the Chief meant, and I think the bond among SEAL teammates is as strong or
stronger than any other combat unit in the world. Sometime later I told him
about this and we laughed. We talked so many times about this over the
intervening years and it was something I used to tell people who didn’t
understand THE TEAMS, or outsiders who could never quite understand what the
love for one’s Teammates meant But at the end our conversations, I always
said, “You know I love you my queer Chief.” He’d just laugh and tell me
he loved me too. I am so grateful that I was allowed the time to visit him and
talk to him those few days in May. He asked me when I was coming back and I
told him later in the year when my wife and I go to visit our son, US Navy
stationed at SHAPE; I told him we’d come down to see him on the way to visit
our kids in Europe. I didn’t believe that he would last that long but after
a few weeks during which I talked with him quite a bit, I began to believe it.
But the train came early. I am so very, very grateful that I had one last time
in early May to give MY CHIEF a big (good-bye) hug and say for the last time,
“I LOVE YOU MY QUEER CHIEF!” I left him laughing and being the
quintessential leader, mentor, consummate warrior and wonderful lifelong
friend -- MASTER CHIEF TOM BLAIS.
Lt. to Rt: standing: Tyree, Sullivan, Tom Blais, Chuck Newell,
LT Woodaman, Doc Painter. Sitting: Art Hammond, Jim
Cook, Herb Clements, Gene Fraley
Rio
We have a ass hole in our DAV post getting
Compensation for PTSD-- he was a seaman aboard a ship in the far east and
a Russian plane was seen flying within eyesight of his ship. He says he
still has bad dreams because of the incident.
Back when UDT training was what it was and Tom Blais and
Chuck Newell were training instructors. Every man they trained
could claim PTS after training but never would ever do it.
I am telling you for real if TB or CN ever looked into
your face and saw fear caused by the training you would wish
you were dead because they would Give you some personal
instruction. If you got through that the PTSD would have never
mattered and you would never ever get it because you had already had
it and never wanted any of it again.
The thing about their personal instruction is that those
who got it behind them and stuck it out could always be relied on to
never quit or be effected by tough times-- When Blais would get
pissed and his face turned red and his eyes dilated and his teeth
clenched then he would smile. You knew you were in for something you
never dreamed of happening to your little self.
There was one guy in my class the got crossed up with TB
someway and when he realized it he ran away, went over the hill, hauled
ass. and we never saw him again--and at the time I couldn't blame
him-- we all knew he was going to be dead meat and if he came through
it he would always be demented.
We had a another guy in my class who had four years
service and was a seaman (E3 if you don't remember). this guy had been
stationed on Naval Air bases and had always worked in the gym and weight
room, when he went aboard a carrier he took care of the weight
room and ran around the flight deck. To look at him you would think he
was Charles Atlas.
This guy got crossed up with CN and for a couple of day
survived but one day Newell walked up to him and told him he was going to
run him to death--This guy was no push over either and the next run we
were on he knew what was coming up and faked a pass out, We had just had
some class on physiology and the word medulla oblongota (medulla)was
mentioned, anyway when they brought him around he told them his medulla
oblongota was swollen up and he couldn't breathe.
Blais and Newell and Wadell went high order then
made some of the guys drag him out into the surf and then made the whole
class run over him--They said if anyone that didn't get a Boon Doctor on
his ass they would wish they had, and they meant it too!
We never saw this guy again. The Ambulance came and
hauled him away then they ran us down the beach and up down ever sand
dune until there were guys strung out for miles-- then the Jeep got
between the pack and the stragglers and that night the stragglers were
kept up squat jumping until muster the next morning.
Once you got in deep like that it made every day
harder and harder until there was nothing left, you could only hope for a
week end so you could recover well enough to make it through the next
week. Just sharing memories---
Fred Miller
Webmaster's
NOTE: He is one of my best friends. Fred was WIA in 'nam.
He was shot through the femur of one of his legs and damn near lost it.
He was medically discharged. He rehabilitated himself while a
civilian, and although he had one leg shorter than the other one
attempted to rejoin the Navy and was declined. The U.S.Army
accepted him and he retired as a Major. He was the foremost
knowlegable weapons officer in the USA and is now a Gunsmith in Iowa.
From:Bill Langley
To: Doc Riojas
Date: 24 Dec 2013
Subj: Tom Blais
Doc, I talked to Tom Blais, Jim Cook, and Chuck Newell yesterday. We had
good conversations and laughed about old times with the teams and UDT/R.
They were instructors when I went through training and they were great
instructors.
They all said "Quit, you stinkin trainee". But
I didn't think they really meant it; so I kept my helmet on and stayed
away from that dreaded bell.
I really enjoyed your action packed Christmas letter. I
will turn 74 on 29 Dec, Rudy's birthday is 20 Jan 1928 (he will be 86 but
looks 12 years younger), and yours is 14 Aug 1931 (as if you didn't know;
and you look 15 years younger).
Take care and Happy New Year to you and your special family.
In Christ my brother,
Bill
Lt. to Rt: standing: Tyree, Sullivan, Tom Blais, Chuck
Newell, LT Woodaman, Doc Painter. Sitting: Art
Hammond, Jim Cook, Herb Clements, Gene Fraley
MASTER CHIEF TOM BLAIS -- a personal view and
assessment
04May 2014 4:13 PM , Virginia Beach, Virginia
From: Steve Elson
to: TO MY MANY TEAMMATES AND FRIENDS, WHETHER WE HAVE MET
OR NOT -
BAND OF BROTHERS WHO SHARE A GREAT ADMIRATION AND LOVE FOR ONE OF OUR
LONG TIME TEAM LEGENDS --
DMCM TOM BLAIS
I talked with Eva (who used to baby-sit our own daughter some 35 years
ago) about a week ago; she told me her Dad had been moved from the
unassisted care side of his apartment building to the assisted care side.
I know many of you have seen the sitreps coming out and while very well
written and informative, I got a different impression of where the Chief
is living and how he is doing emotionally as well as physically.
Chief Blais is a SEAL Team icon and legend as we all know. He has some
unique qualities to say the least and while he means different things to
all of us, I reckon we each share our own special view of and
relationship with him. He had the unique quality of being able to read
people well and tailor, especially to those in his training classes, his
own individualized brand of "torture" to help weed out those
who didn't belong and to develop those who did. I personally am glad I
was NOT in his class; he probably wouldn't have tolerated all my whining.
He was a Godsend as our VN Plt Chief. He did a lot to help me grow up
(sometimes disputed by my wife, kids, and friends) and became part
surrogate father, mentor, protector, and dearest friend.
Since we moved out west in 2008, I haven't been back to VA Beach in
several years when the Chief was still living on his own near the Creek,
ignoring his many injuries, and charging along he was wont to do. We have
talked frequently over the intervening years. So when Eva explained his
situation, I knew I had to go up and see The Chief. I flew up to BWI
landing at 0100, rented a car and drove all night down to VA Beach, and
spent all day,and part of the evening as well as few hours the following
morning with the Chief. Eva had described his condition pretty accurately
but somehow I hadn't been able to shake the vision in my mind that he
would be in bed with tubes and IVs in him, sleeping most of the time, and
uncomfortable. Eva did say that he was doing well, happy, laughing, and
enjoying the many visits of old Frogs and SEALs. But the impression of a
subdued and withering Chief lingered on haunting and greatly saddening
me. To be honest, I was somewhat apprehensive about the visit.
I had quite an uplifting surprise walking into his room, finding him
sitting on the bed, proffering that Chief Blais strong handshake, a big
laugh, and typical Chief Blais greeting. No tubes, no medicine, and
pretty much nothing obviously "medical" or life sustaining
excepting oxygen nasal cannulas. He was lucid, talking, gesticulating,
and seemed to be having a great time. As Eva had described, he said this
was one of the happiest and best times of his life. A morning phone call
from one of his Class 38 trainees and one of my all time heroes, Rick
Woolard started the morning off with a laugh and good feeling.
Rick is so sincere and such a strong person that
his messages convey. People are calling from all over the world,
literally. The word "hospice" had conjured up some pretty
frightening images. So for those who haven't had the opportunity or good
fortune to visit the Chief and are concerned about his environment and
state, I'd like to share a few vignettes of each. Some of the e-mails I
have seen are very informative and well-written but don't quite capture
the feeling of warmth, happiness, and fun I experienced while there. A
couple times, I saw the Chief quietly talking and laughing with each of
his daughters, Eva's wonderful husband, and grand kids. I left for those
were private moments. Of course, I stayed when other old Teammates came
to visit.
The Chief lives in a beautiful apartment building in a square shape with
one side assisted living (where he now resides) and the other unassisted.
It is a great place http://www.kiscoseniorliving.com/senior_living/Virginia_Beach_VA/zip_23451/kisco_senior_living/5768
-- clean, beautifully decorated, warm, and staffed by truly caring
folks, from the people who perform the janitorial duties to the food prep
folks, and other care givers. I didn't really see many
"medical" people and there was nothing that smacked of my view
of "hospice" care.
All day long there was a constant stream of people,
some of them like Herschel (who comes daily and who I haven't seen in
years), rolling through. Talking, laughing, BSing, and just having a good
time. Crazy Herschel D. is great medicine as are others the others I saw:
Ken McDonald, Harry Coleman or one I never met - Randy Wise; it seemed
like most of the First Colonial Staff came into hug the Chief (mostly
woman) daily and spend some time talking/laughing with him. As you would
expect, the Chief's presence is well known to most of the staff.
When I came through the side entrance, I passed
through the first door and then had to press a button and put my face on
camera where I was asked who I was and what I wanted. When I told the
lady I was coming to visit MC Blais, she started laughing told me to tell
him that Norma sent a big hug. These are NOT hospital rooms, but actual
apartments - very nice, roomy, clean, and comfortable. Residents on both
sides of the facility decorate their outside doors and apartments as they
wish. Many have a dried floral arrangement on the door and one resident
has a lot of American Flags and "Support Our Troops" stickers
all over the door. The halls are attractive and soothing. Naturally, the
Chief's door looked like the entrance to a SEAL museum -- the inside even
more so. His living room has a TV and pictures of his family. There is a
corner with religious artifacts. And there are UDT/SEAL pictures and
memorabilia everywhere. I loved looking at his plaque from his entering
the UDT Training Class in 1947 and then going to UDT 2, UDT 21, and
finally ST-2. Also many don't realize that he went through UDT Training
Classes 4 and 16. He briefly got out of the Navy and when he came back,
they made him go through twice. To the best of my knowledge, that makes
him even more unique in the community.
Daughter EVA and me
(After I saw this picture, I realised that the Chief looks healthier and
better than I, even though I am just a kid.)
I had expected to get a few waking moments with The Chief during the day
between hours of napping. There was no napping and it was GREAT spending
so much time reminiscing and BSing. The Chief's memory (excepting a few
moments of "Where the hell did that damn word go?" that I have
all the time) is amazing. I wish he HAD forgotten some of the incidents.
Had a few times when talked seriously about life, its meaning, good and
bad things we had done, his wonderful family, and the tragedies
experienced. He thinks he had a heart attack, loves his doctor, talks
about getting better, working out, breaking boards with his feet, and yes
(surprise) chasing younger (40, 50, 60??) women. He is the same of
ebullient, self-confident, crazy, confidence-inspiring, and fun-loving
Chief we all remember and love.
We did talk about the end of life whenever it comes and
how important it is to enjoy every moment and all your family and friends
-- which he is doing. In the end I left a satisfied and happy man knowing
how well he is doing and how much he is enjoying the calls, cards, and
visits from his many friends and admirers. I was sad to have missed Rick
Woolard who, perforce, was out of town and I would have loved to been
there when our VN Plt Commander Bill Gardner (I haven't seen him since VN)
visited. But it is gratifying to know so many care and remember that
"love of our fellow Teammates is so strong. Medically, it seems
almost impossible that the Chief will get up and leave the room -- to
break boards or chase woman. But who the hell knows?
The Chief never let minor things like the difficult or
impossible get in his way. Whatever happens and when it happens, he seems
to have made peace within himself, loves his immediate family as well as
his UDT/SEAL family, and when he does go, there is little reason to be
sad except we won't get to see or talk to him in person. He is one of
those rare people in our lives who will ALWAYS remain within us. Many of
the things I have accomplished are in some part due to his influence on
and caring for me. Few have accomplished as much for so many special
folks as has he.
Don't hesitate to call him and harass him like Herschel or just talk a
bit. He loves it and keeps him going. Make every moment of his life,
however long, moments of joy and friendship.
I was honored and so very happy I got to see the Chief, talk with him,
laugh, be rude and crude, and in the end hug him and tell him I love him.
These days, rather than sad, dreary or depressing, are a celebration of
the amazing life of a Great MAN! I thought I was going up to say
"Goodbye" and go for his benefit. In the end, I realised he did
far more for me than I for The Chief.
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