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Master Sgt. Sean M. Thomas, 33, of Hughesville posthumously was honored for his combat and sacrifice in Iraq with the naming of a fitness center in his memory in Baghdad's Green Zone last Thursday.

Thomas, along with six others, was killed March 27, 2007, during a rocket attack in Baghdad. It was his second deployment with the Harrisburg-based Pennsylvania National Guard 28th Division.

The Sean M. Thomas Memorial Gym dedication ceremony was hosted by Col. Ray Odierno, a commander of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"I think it's important to recognize one of our great military non-commissioned officers who helped us so much in providing progress here in Iraq. We are dedicated to leaving Iraq with success and honor and dedication to all of those who gave their lives," Odierno said.

In addition to being honored with a fitness center named after him, Thomas was awarded a Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge and two Bronze Stars. One Bronze Star was earned for his service in Afghanistan.

Thomas' brother, Daniel Thomas Jr., assumes the gym was dedicated in his brother's memory because of his love for recreation - especially football and ping-pong.

"Other than the fact that he was very active in recreation over there ... I would just think it was a new building that they built and obviously felt that they should honor a fallen soldier. Because there weren't a lot of soldiers killed in the Green Zone Area ... it sticks with a lot of people there (in Iraq) still working with the government," Daniel said.

"We didn't even know it was in the makes. It came as a surprise to us," Daniel said.

Daniel also said that if his brother were here today, he might be a little embarrassed.

"He would like it and love the attention, but on the other hand the amount of attention he's been given - he normally shied away from that kind of stuff," Daniel said. "More than anything, he would be honored for what his community has done on his behalf and how they recognize him and how the military has supported his family and everybody."

Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright stated during the ceremony, "I know he would be profoundly humbled to have this facility named in his honor. Master Sgt. Sean Thomas epitomized the ideals of a citizen soldier."

During his service, Thomas did two tours in Afghanistan and in Iraq. His wife, Carri, also served in the Army Reserves. Other close relatives of Thomas now are in the Navy.

According to Daniel, his expectations of the Sean M. Thomas Memorial Gym will be to recognize all of America's fallen soldiers and unsung heroes.

Before fighting for America, Thomas studied English at Penn State University.

Near the end of his educational career, Thomas enlisted in the Army Reserves for six years, and later joined the Pennsylvania National Guard.

"He thought it (Army Reserves) was a good career move," Daniel said. "From the time he was in high school, that was what he ultimately wanted to do."

Among Thomas' greatest accomplishments, becoming a father was his greatest. He left behind an infant daughter; his wife, Carrie; brothers, David and Daniel Jr.; parents Daniel and Diane; and several nieces and nephews.

For those who did not have the opportunity of knowing Thomas, his personality can be described as, "the person in the crowd that you wanted to be around; very vibrant and the life of the party; a big guy with a soft heart," Daniel said. "He was just a good all-around kid."