Sgt. James Earl "Jim" Thode

You are not forgotten, Sergeant Thode. I have been thinking recently of you with recent events, of the short period of time I spent with you in humbly preparing your platoon for deployment at Camp Williams the spring of 2010. What I found remarkable about you was how seriously you took your role as a servant of your soldiers. You cared deeply about them, and they knew it. After each exercise I ran, you would seek every bit of feedback -- what could each person, yourself, improve on. You were...

Hello,
We would like to express our deepest condolences and to also let the Thode Family know that we recently sent Care Packages to American troops in Afghanistan. Each box carried a dedication sheet that includes the name, service information and a photo of your loved one, Sergeant 1st Class James E. Thode. We recognize that this is a humble tribute, but we wanted you to know that it is heartfelt and made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals in the youth hockey community...

We did not know Jim but we did know his mother Eve. Ron married us in 1999 and we used to occasionally see them in Pagosa Springs. (We have lost touch now.) We were grieved to hear of Jim's death and still remember. We are so grateful that Jesus' work for us will enable us to meet Jim one day.

I will be running in Sgt. Thode's honor this Monday as part of Wear Blue: Run to Remember. While it has been several years, know that his service and sacrifice are still cherished.

To Jim's family,

Although I have never met you, I consider Jim as one of my very best friends - Jim and I met at Armor Officer Basic Course in 1991 at Fort Knox - We were inseperable - I was so honored when Jim came to my wedding and served as a Swordsman - I owe you pictures and will send them as soon as I return home. He made me a better person and I continue to struggle to think of the world without him. As I sit here in Kandahar, AFG I think of him almost daily - I regret never...

I serve as a cav scout in the 8th 40th armor 1983-1991. Sorry to here of your lost. He was av ery good soilder. Scouts out.

Jim was my best friend. I let him down. I did not go see him put to rest. I was devistated by his death, and I still hurt by his absence. I could not bring myself to see him taken from us. I am sorry, my friend. I should have been there. Jim and I met in 9th grade and were inseperable for the next 10 years. To his wife, I am truely sorry for never having met you, I know you must be a wonderful person. To Eve, Mary, and Ernst, I am so sorry for your loss, you are all in my prayers. Jim,...

It has been a year since we heard of the great sacrifice made by you. We are so very blessed to have known you and think of you every day. Your sacrifice is never forgotten. We miss hearing your laughter next door at your Mother's house in Pagosa as you played with your family in the snow in the driveway when you visited. What fun it was to see your dogs pulling the sleds with Tommy laughing and having fun!!
We are blessed for having known you...
Mencor and Janet Valdez