Sgt. Tofuri:  I'm not sure you were my TI, but it's likely you were, because there probably weren't too many other TIs named Sgt "Tuffy" Tofuri at Lackland in the late '60s.  I was an Air Guard type out of Reno, Nevada, back then.  I don't remember much about my six weeks at Lackland, but I do remember you, and I always will.I can think of only one incident that you might remember.

During our final physical tests, that we had to pass to graduate, we had to run a mile in fatigues in eight minutes or some such.  Several of us had finished, but a few were still on the track. One overweight guy was just starting his fourth and final lap on the quarter-mile track and was failing fast.

A fellow basic from back east somewhere, maybe Pennsylvania, suggested we help him, so he and I jumped up, ran over to the guy, put his arms over our shoulders and carried him much of that last lap.  And we made it in the allotted time.

Shortly afterwards, you formed up the flight and started to march us off the field. Another flight was coming onto the field, and the TI of that flight yelled over at you, terming your flight a bunch of wimps (paraphrasing) that had to carry each other.  You halted us, turned toward the other flight and TI and told him in no uncertain terms that you believed that if any of us were to end up in Vietnam in battle we would have to know how to rely on each other in order to survive, and that we had just proven we knew how to do exactly that.

Other than that I remember only that basic training with Sgt. Tofuri was pretty much an ordeal.I never would have guessed you would evolve into an author. I have been a bit of a writer myself, with newspapers and in Public Affairs for the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Over the last decade or so I have gotten to get into graphics design and layouts, photo editing, etc.  I have even gotten to design and digitize the entire Wyoming State Highway Map. Neat stuff.Gotta wrap this up, but first let me add this.  There are three individuals who I will always remember for making all the difference in my life. You were one of them.  My high school football coach was another.

Anyway, I've had some tough times, every now and then, including a battle with alcohol that I thought would be the end of me.  Through all those tough times, when I was bouncing pretty hard off the bottom and felt like it was finally over, I always realized I could get up and go a little bit more.  You gave me that.

Thanks, Sarg.Garth Oldham


Readers, this is the type of message Drill Instructors love to read.  When an-ex trainee succeeds in the military and throughout their individual lives, and never forgets the basic principles of self-discipline, honor, loyality, tenacity and the dedication to duty they learned from their Drill Instructor, it makes the Drill Instructors realize their messages will never fall upon deaf ears.

No matter how difficult basic training is to an individual, all the disciplines instilled in them from their Drill Instructors will remain with them forever. This specific individual that took the time to send me a message and thank me for something that happened over 35 years ago, is an individual I do not hesitate to call, my friend.

Thank you, Garth, I shall never forget this moment.
Tuffy

08-25-04

Well readers, it happened again!  I received an e-mail this morning from another of my ex-basic trainees, this time, from 1973!  Please, give this one a read and feel the rush of emotion as I did.

Dear Mister Tofuri,

I was one of your 'troops' at Lackland in summer '73. Airman Beck was your assistant T.I.  You were truely an amazing force.  Some of your methods were not sanctioned by the Air Force, but you definitely got the job done well.  We all really appreciated the streamlined way you handled our foot lockers.

 I remember the guy in the bunk next to me thought YOU had folded his handkerchiefs wrong and decided to rework it himself.  I warned him that you said to "Leave it alone!"  His handy work was tantamount to disobeying an order, and when you got to his bunk -BLAM!!

 Even Beck could not escape your rath.  He made the mistake of trying to ask you a question during your response to this airmans' poor choice in folding criteria, and BLAM!!  If he had a tail, it was firmly lost between his cheeks.

I could write my own book about just those 6 weeks. The topper was bumping (literally) into you at Clark A.B. in '76.  I believe you were in the Civil Engineers Squadron.  You didn't appear to remember me, I was just one of thousands of 'troops' that passed through your flights.

Anyway, I always think of you when watching the 'Sopranos' or other tough guy programs, and I gauge the tuffest guys against you.  They're missing out.  You always top 'em.  I am going to buy your T.I. book A.S.A.P.

You used to talk to us alot in between training time, and I'm not surprised that you have become an author.  I remember most of the stories, so I want a refresher, because they were very entertaining.  Granted, you had a 'captive' audience, but they made an impression that's lasted 31 years!

During one of my visits into your T.I. office, I remember reading a newspaper clipping about this terrible car accident. People were trapped in the car, or lying around the car definitely injured badly. The story went on to say how SSgt. Joe Tofuri had administered first aid and helped save the lives of those people.  That article was just bunched in with alot of other material, and was not easy to find.

That's when I knew SSgt. Tofuri "walked the walk".  I've followed in similar footsteps.  For the last 20 years, I've been a Respiratory Therapist . I've seen alot of trauma, and have had a job that's never very boring. I'm sure my 4 year stint in the Air Force helped to prepare me for this job.

I was one of the youngest troops you had in your flight, and I probably should have waited a couple of years before joining. I must thank you for getting me on track.

 Sincerely, Michael Haston Flight ,817.

This individual's name is Michael Haston and we have been communicating since he first sent me this e-mail as I have been with Garth. Michael also informed me he is trying to make contact with other members of his flight of basic trainees from back in 1973.  I am VERY happy to say that both Michael and Garth have ordered copies of TUFFY'S HEROES and are telling all their friends about the book! Just another great story about outstanding ex-basic trainees from my past!