I just wanted to pass something along to you website guys. Maybe you choose to somehow use this as perhaps a small memoriam to OUR ONLY CLASSMATE of the CLASS OF 1966, who was killed in action in Vietnam.

I was attending a Annual Vietnam Veterans Reunion yesterday, and of course, searched for the names of my departed friends on the Vietnam Memorial Wall who were killed there in action. I made a scratch over of the engraved name of Tom Frech, because he is not only my fallen brother, but we were also great pals in school, and it hit me more than ever that he is our only classmate casualty of the War.

Perhaps you guys will feel this has no place on the BRHS 66 website, and maybe nobody ever thought to pay respect this way in a lasting memoriam. I think it would be nice, but I support any decision your committee makes in this regard. Please find enclosed , Thomas Frech,panel 6W, Name 101.

Thanks, Steve Gerwer.

"...I knew Tom Frech quite well, since he sat across from me in study hall. We called him "The Phantom Whistler" ( which is the way he signed my H.S. yearbook because he made these whistling noises which drove the study hall teacher crazy). I always liked him, and thought he had a great sense of humor. I also remember that he fell asleep quite frequently during that 5th or 6th period study hall, and one day I tied his shoelaces together while he was dozing, and then woke him up suddenly. He fumbled around a bit, tried to get up and couldn't, and then thought it was hilarious.

I knew he died in Vietnam and always felt awful about it. What a waste of a young life.

Please let Steve know I am totally in support of his posting.

Best regard,
Woody [Freeman]"

"I couldn't think of anything more fitting to have on our website! I have great memories of Tom who had the best sense of humor. He always made me smile and laugh. I was stunned when his brother Ken first told me what had happened to Tom in Vietnam. I remember crying when I visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D. C. What a terrible loss of life at such a young age!

Gene Orlando"

I would like to add a story about Tommy Frech. A day or so before he was to leave for Nam, his mom had a going away party for him at their house. I went and everything was cool, but soon after,  I discovered something. Tom and I had identical suede leather jackets,and when I left the party in my usual state of inebriation {in those days}, I grabbed Tom's coat by mistake. Since he had already left, I decided to wait for his return, to switch jackets with him. When I learned of his death, I wore that jacket as a personal memento of Tom. I wore that jacket to tattered rags.

Thanks for the memory, Tom Tarlazzi.

Tom Frech's Nephew sent this to us
He never knew Tom, but reached out to thank (Ed Danberry) for words he said about Tom on the internet.
"Here is a collage I put together with me and a picture that was taken of Tommy over my shoulder there. I hope you and your classmates like it. I certainly believe I have my Uncle Tom's smile."..Chad Dolby, Tom Frech's nephew