Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is U.S. Army Veteran Tomas L. Avey, who served on three deployments to Afghanistan.
Tomas Luke Avey was born in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1999, he graduated from Harrah High School in Harrah, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the 45th Infantry Brigade “Thunderbirds” in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. During his career, Avey served three deployments to Afghanistan.
In January 2002, Avey married Dana Grummer, and in the following month, he transferred to the active Army at Ft. Drum, New York. He served with the 10th Mountain Division in Company B, 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry, for six years. During those years, he was promoted three times from Private First Class to Staff Sergeant.
From 2008 to 2010, Avey was a Drill Sergeant at the Army Infantry School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was awarded a Drill Instructor of the Cycle Award and was promoted to Sergeant First Class. From 2010 to 2013, he was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Carson, Colorado. He served as a platoon sergeant on his third deployment to Afghanistan. From the summer of 2013 to the time of his death, Avey was assigned to the 6th Ranger Training Battalion at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
Avey died on March 29, 2015, in Columbus, Georgia, while on temporary duty near Ft. Benning. His passing was due to heart failure as well as prolonged complications from wounds that he suffered from in Afghanistan.
During his service, Avey earned two Bronze Star Medals, one with a “V” device for valor, a Purple Heart.
NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 honors many fallen service members by placing the names of the fallen on the windshield in place of the driver’s name. During the 2021 Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR driver Christopher Bell honored Avey by putting his name on his car for the race.
We honor his service.
Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? You’re in luck! VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Writer: Marisa Bunton
Editors: Ashley Shaut, Daphna Gerber
Graphic Designer: Charles Hundley
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