The Morning Sentinel

July 16

Playground recalls Maine man killed in Iraq

By Mechele Cooper mcooper@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

RANDOLPH -- Michael Dostie believes his son would appreciate the dedication of a playground for children with special needs.

It's been almost six years since a suicide bomber attacked Forward Operating Base Marez in Mosul, Iraq, taking the life of his son, Army Spc. Thomas J. Dostie.

Spurwink Services -- a nonprofit organization providing mental health, educational and residential services for children, adolescents, adults and families -- will honor Dostie today with a dedication ceremony at 11:30 a.m. at the Spurwink clinic in Randolph, 9 Hillcrest Ave.

Michael Dostie, Somerville's fire chief and a teacher at the Spurwink school in Chelsea, said he was caught off guard when he learned the playground would be dedicated to his son.

"He wasn't a very showy person," Dostie said. "He would really appreciate something like this, I'm sure. I'm really honored that they're doing it. They've been so supportive to all of us, more than I ever expected."

Dostie died Dec. 21, 2004, during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Dostie and seven others were killed when a suicide bomber set off an explosive in a crowded mess hall during lunch. The blast also wounded 70 soldiers and contractors.

Family and friends haven't forgotten the 20-year-old Somerville firefighter, remembered as a friend to the underdog.

"In his memory, a friend wrote of Army Specialist Dostie, 'He seemed to migrate to the underdog. The student who was left out or who had trouble fitting in could find Tommy taking them under his wing. It is fitting that a playground will be dedicated in his memory,'" Spurwink spokesman Joe Farrell said.

Maine Army National Guard Chief of Staff Col. John Jansen -- the battalion commander in the 133rd Engineer Combat Battalion, serving with Thomas Dostie -- will take part in today's dedication ceremony, along with Assistant State Fire Marshal Joe Thomas.

Ranked as a specialist, Dostie was buried as a sergeant in a family plot in Sand Hill Cemetery in his hometown of Somerville.