John Paul Barta remembered, honored at school ceremony

When the wind storm that blew into the area on Christmas Eve knocked down the sign that bore the name of Flour Bluff High School All-Star athlete John Paul Barta, Flour Bluff superintendent Julie Carbajal took it as a sign.

"To me it said, 'I'm here, my presence is here. Don't forget me,' " Carbajal said at a candlelight vigil Monday night honoring Army Spc. Barta, who was killed in Iraq on Dec. 23.

Barta, a 2000 Flour Bluff graduate, was stationed at Fort Hood in Killeen and deployed to Iraq in October.

More than 300 friends and family gathered Monday night at the Flour Bluff baseball field to share their memories of the man many called their hero.

On the field was a table with photos of Barta as well as his No. 24 Hornet baseball jersey.

Barta, 25, was remembered as a gifted athlete with a competitive spirit and as a sweet-natured friend who enjoyed the occasional prank.

Beau McManus calls Barta his brother. They were lifelong friends who shared a special bond.

McManus recalled Barta's visits to his home where the two would eat cereal, drink milk, shoot hoops and watch one of Barta's favorite movies - "The Natural."

McManus recalled one game of horse the friends played that marked a rare occasion - McManus beat Barta. But Barta, ever the competitor, didn't let McManus relish his victory for long.

"I had wanted to beat him so bad," McManus said. "He looked at me and smiled and said, 'Another game?' "

Barta won the second round.

But Barta was more than just a fierce competitor.

Chanel Owens shared a story that exemplified his gentle side.

Owens has called Barta her best friend since elementary school. One Valentine's Day in the seventh grade, Owens and Barta were talking on the phone and Owens was venting about not having a Valentine that year. Barta rushed off the phone and within an hour Owens heard a knock at the door.

On the ground in front of the door was a hand-made bouquet of flowers, Owens said.

"He'd picked flowers from people's front yards on the way to my house," she said as her voice cracked with emotion and tears streamed down her face.

Attached to the bouquet was a note from Barta. It read, "We aren't boyfriend/girlfriend, but you can still be my Valentine."

Christi Adams read a letter from her brother Travis Adams, a Marine stationed in Japan and a friend of Barta's.

"You were invincible," the letter read. "You were my Superman."

Noe Vela was a friend and classmate of Barta's. He helped organize Monday night's vigil.

Vela said Barta was more than a superstar on the baseball field; he was a respectful, humble person who inspired those around him.

"That's why so many people looked up to him," Vela said. "I always knew he was going to be something special."

From the Caller Times

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