KWTX.COM -- It was on Tuesday, that Gary Qualls was

told that his son, Lance Corporal Louis Qualls, was

killed by enemy action in Iraq.



"He always wanted to be a soldier. He wanted to be

like his Dad and then he joined the Marines," says

Temple resident Gary Qualls.



Qualls says he couldn't be prouder of his son. 20-year

old Louis Qualls who graduated from Temple High School

was an honor student, in ROTC, on the varistiy

football team and a soldier-- who volunteered to serve

in Iraq.



"He wanted to do things for his country and for our

families and to help other people be free," said

Qualls.

And just two days ago, he received this letter.



"Dad, I need your prayers and advice more than ever. I

know you have always been there for me and I know you

always will be. I just can't wait to come home."



And just one hour later, there was a knock at the

door. His youngest son, David, gave him the news that

three marines were waiting to speak with him.





"I walked up to the front door and all I could do was

look through the glass and stand there and look at

them and I knew what was going on and I said "No...

Not my baby!"

Gary said he dropped to his knees, and that nothing

could compare to what he felt at that moment.

Gary, a retired marine, says even when he, himself,

was close to death on the battlefield in Bosnia-- even

when he lost friends in battle-- nothing, hurt more

than knowing his son was gone.

"Apparently, they tried to get him back, but he didn't

make. He gave all he could and he can give no more."







My friend Louis Qualls died in Iraq last week.  Keep him and his family in your

prayers.



He was shot and killed while making door-to-door sweeps searching for insurgents in

Fallujah.



We were friends and I hope to see him again in the kingdom of heaven.

Pray for His father, step mother, and younger brother.  He will be missed.



http://www.nandotimes.com/special_reports/iraq/photos/story/1836502p-9736409c.html