North Potomac, Md Man Dies in Iraq

Thomas J. Barbieri, a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq and resident of North Potomac, was killed by small arms fire south of Baghdad on August 23.

Below are some quotes from family and friends...

‘‘He always talked about being a hero, and he was,” said his mother, Carolann Barbieri. ‘‘That’s how he died, a hero.”

‘‘He was tough as nails,” said his brother Stephen, 22. ‘‘But he had a heart. He had a big heart.”

‘‘He was well liked and respected by all who knew him,” 1st Lt. Phllip Smith, former company executive officer of Barbieri’s company, said in a statement. ‘‘His sense of humor and loyalty will always be remembered by his fellow paratroopers and family.”

‘‘He’s the kind of person you’d call a hero,” Riley said. ‘‘Real heroes are people like T.J. He gave his life for this country. And he had a lot to offer.”


On behalf on the Washington Junto, thank you for your service and your sacrifice...it will never be forgotten.