Carl Eason remembered

Army Specialist Carl Eason is gone, but not forgotten. He was one of 19 members of the Lovelady Volunteer Fire Department for five years before joining the military. Now, he's one of thousands of soldiers killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Thursday, a crowd of Eason's fellow soldiers, firefighters, family members, and friends celebrated his life at a memorial service in his hometown.

Chief Tim Ham said, "His gear locker always had his gear in it. When he'd come home on leave, it'd be there for him, and when he'd take off and go again, it'd still be in his locker. He helped out a bunch."

Twenty-nine-year-old Eason died last week in Baghdad after an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Eason left behind a wife, three children, and a community that will never forget him.

The Lovelady V.F.D. will now retire Eason's uniform number and it will never be used again. It's a first for the department, in honor of its hometown hero.

From KTRE 9

Related Link:
Carl A. Eason killed by I.E.D.