Lawrence Carter laid to rest

Ollie Grays Sr. stood near his stepson's flag-draped casket and read from a letter Army Sgt. Lawrance James Carter wrote to his mother from Iraq.

"Dear Mom. As you know I always wanted to be a soldier, so look at me now. I made my dream come true all thanks to you.

"P.S. You created one of America's finest."
They gathered in a chapel of wood and stained glass on a quiet street in historic downtown Upland on Thursday to say goodbye to a son, grandson, brother, nephew and friend. A brother in arms.

Carter was killed Dec. 29 by a roadside bomb while on patrol in northwestern Baghdad, three days after his 25th birthday.

The Rancho Cucamonga man was young but had already served twice in Afghanistan, Brigadier General Robert W. Cone said.

He was a gunner, Cone said, a role reserved for the brightest and most reliable.

He was on his second tour in Iraq when he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

"He was the prototype model American patriot hero," Cone said.

He was also a loyal friend who wrote songs about his two favorite things cars and girls - and referred to himself as Cupid.
Cone said his fellow soldiers talked about Carter's "kindness, care and respect for others, his basic love of country and his family. He always talked about his family."

His family stood tall Thursday.

Cone spoke of the strength and pride of country Carter learned from his mother, Charles Evelyn Jones Grays, herself a veteran of both the Army and Marines.

His grandmother, Theola Evelyn Christy, sang a soaring version of "The Lord's Prayer." His stepfather spoke lovingly of a boy he had watched grow into a man.

His brother, Army Staff Sgt. William Jones Jr., stood in full dress uniform and spoke of the boy who was nine years younger and wanted so badly to follow in his older brother's footsteps.

"I guess in his eyes I was his hero," he said quietly. "In my eyes, he's my hero &

"My brother, he defended his country bravely. He paid the ultimate price and he did it knowingly, willingly and of his own choice. That's why he is my hero and always will be. I'm going to miss him."

An honor guard carried Carter's casket slowly out of the chapel, followed by family and friends. The veterans of the Patriot Guard Riders stood by their motorcycles, ready to escort his body to Riverside National Cemetery.

At the cemetery, Carter's mother, stepfather and grandfather held their hands to their hearts as the honor guard removed his silver casket from the hearse. His brother saluted, then followed the casket for the final service, walking slowly with his arm around his grandmother's shoulders.

Under a shade structure overlooking a small lake, Chaplain Lawrence Witherspoon said Carter had reached his final post.

"Sgt. Lawrance James Carter is back on duty today," he said.

There were few dry eyes as a bugler played taps and the honor guard ever so reverently folded the American flag that Cone presented on bended knee to Carter's mother on behalf of a grateful nation.

Then Cone stood, turned to a soldier and spoke in a strong, clear voice.

"Publish the order."

The soldier read the letter sent by Secretary of the Army Francis J. Harvey.

"The bronze star is hereby awarded to Sgt. Lawrance James Carter for meritorious service & " the soldier said.

"He will be forever remembered for his actions."

From the Bulletin

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