Hmmm...

Born Joseph Thomas Lamonde...Mom didn't care too much for my father's cheatin' ways, so I became, and still am, know by my middle name, Tom. That name coming from my beloved and very much Irish grandfather, Thomas Francis Thorpe. I passed "Thomas" to my first born son, in his, more than my honor.

French-Irish...what a mix of flavors contained in that bottle of spirits!!

Born a Scorpio...Harry S. Truman was ending his presidency on the 18th of November 1952, when Elvis, blue-jeans, and rolling a pack of Chesterfields up in your tee-shirt sleeve was the cool thing to do. I blame that on my sometimes rebel ways...

Being born just north of Boston, Massachusetts, in Peabody,a town known for its smelly leather factories wasn't all that bad. Mom actually lived in neighboring Salem "the witch town" and was visiting my grandmother ...otherwise, I very likely would have been born a Warlock.

There's alot that can be said about growing up poor on the NorthShores of Massachusetts...but I won't bore you with all that and tell you I spent most of the first 12 years of my life doing it.

Mom met a young Spec 4 in the Army and Roger swept us away to Germany for 3 years, much to the dislike of my grandparents. For my 4 sisters and I...it was dramatic change. As you could guess, raising 5 children on E-4 pay (1960's style) was tough for my parents...but we were thankful we didn't see the Salvation Army troupe visit us anymore.

Sunny El Paso, Texas....Dad got stationed at Fort Bliss in 1966 (I had every Beatles album at that time) - and I'll be damned I'm still here!!!

And playing the part of his wife, Susan. Met her as a soph in high school in 1969, never let her get away and married her on December 23rd, 1971. Some ask what the secret to staying married (26 years) is? I usually answer "alot of alcohol and yard work". ---I get a laugh, but the truth is simple, true love, we've grown up together...she's my best friend and a lot more. (and she makes a damn mean quilt!!)

Interject the two other happiest days of my life. Thomas Roger Lamonde, born June 25th, 1974 and William Robert Lamonde, born September 20th, 1978. My molded Red Sox fans...yep, the good, the bad and the loved. What can you say about raising two boys except give em' boxing gloves for Christmas...and the fact that these two grew into fine young men.

...I guess that takes me to the saddest day in my life...Tommy's fatal automobile accident in the Summer of 97. He was the passenger and died along with his lifelong friend, Richard Morgan, on a terrible curve in Northeast El Paso. We always told him never to drink then drive...and he didn't...I just wish he could have talked Richie out of it. May they rest in peace...we miss Tommy more than words can ever express....we miss them both.

Tommy's memorial homepage: http://home.earthlink.net/~vampling

A tribute to my beloved Tommy. My first and only tattoo. He had the same Taz image on the same arm. His initials are in his own artistry taken from one of his drawing pads. I don't know he'd be more impressed, or more shocked that his Dad would ever get a tattoo. You'll always be with me, forever in my heart and in my mind Son.

You should sense here, I offer no religious conotations. No Godly words of thanks for taking My Son from me to some better place for some higher calling of duty. I am bitter. I put no man down nor contest his religious preference...what makes you content, is good for you. But let no man look me in the eye and tell me that my son Tommy could ever be needed or loved more, than here, on this earth, by my wife, his brother and I. Never shall I be a hipocrit in the face of any religion...and if you can look at your God and truthfully say that, then I am glad for you.

Billy - named after his grandfather and uncle on his mother's side. I always thought traditionally your kids should be named that way...maybe I am old fashioned in some ways...ha! What a kid. What a young man. Another mix of French-Irish in the streets...damn the country! He's 19 and a freshman at UTEP. Like his Dad, loves music and sports. An all-american kid. When I look at him - I have more reason to go on in this world.

Wait...someone is waving a cane and signalling from side-stage that I only have 2 minutes left!!! Whats that crap all about???

Umm...I was in the Army. I went to Viet Nam and fought for...the girl next door! (at least thats what my Dad says). I got my degree at UTEP! (psychology...for what its worth - not much). I love the sounds of Jethro Tull...

I...umm..have two dogs..a red irish setter (now how could you have guessed that?) and a siberian husky (both females, I been through that marking your territory thing with those nasty male dogs). ---He's waving that cane!!!

Lets see...I work for our government, a simple servant...er...civil servant I meant. I work with secret computers and networks and such (oooh now that sounds spooky). Shit - here he comes with that cane - See Ya, wouldn't wanna be ya!!!