The Iraq Page - Thomas C. Ray II

The News & Observer - Sgt. Thomas C. Ray II, 40, of Weaverville, in Buncombe County, served three years in the Navy as a medical specialist after he joined in 1985. His wife said he joined the Army National Guard in May 2006.

"He wanted to save lives and bring back our guys," his wife, Linda Kay Ray, said in a statement released by N.C. Army National Guard officials.

Born in Asheville, Thomas Ray grew up in El Paso, Texas, and joined the Navy shortly after high school. After joining the National Guard, he became a qualified military police officer in June 2007.

He served in the 1132nd Military Police Company of the N.C. Army National Guard.

His awards include the Army Commendation Medal, which he received in January for his service as a gunner.

Sgt. David B. Williams, 26, of Tarboro, in Edgecombe County, joined the Army National Guard in July 2003. Williams, a military policeman, first served in Iraq as a member of the 105th Military Police Battalion. He transferred to the Guard's 1132nd Military Police Company, where he was a team leader.

Williams, called Blake by his family, was hesitant to go back to Iraq for a second tour. His mother, Susan Williams, said it didn't take long for him to get reacclimated.

"After he met some of the people over there this time, he knew he needed to be there," she said through N.C. Guard officials. "He was making a difference."

And he received a second Army Commendation Medal in January for his role as a driver in his latest deployment.

Two soldiers from North Carolina assigned to a military police company that's part of the North Carolina Army National Guard were killed over the weekend when a roadside bomb struck their vehicle near Baghdad, Iraq, authorities said.

Killed Saturday were Thomas C. Ray, 40, of Weaverville and Sgt. David Williams, 26, of Tarboro, both with the N.C. Army National Guard and assigned to the 1132 Military Police Co., which is based in Rocky Mount.

Also killed was Spc. David S. Stelmat, 27, of Littleton, N.H. Stelmat was a member of the New Hampshire Army National Guard assigned to the 1132.

Ray joined the Navy in 1985 and served three years on active duty. He joined the N.C. Army National Guard in May 2006.

He is survived by his wife Linda Kay; daughter Sydney Paige; and mother, Ozelle M. Ray.

Ozelle Ray recalled how her son asked her to sign an early enlistment waiver so he could join the Navy.

"I'm incredibly proud of my son." she said in a statement provided by the Guard. "He gave his life doing what he wanted to do, and I can live with that."

Thomas, who was assigned to the 105th Military Police Battalion in Asheville, volunteered to join the 1132nd on its deployment to Iraq.

His wife said Ray hoped to make a difference in Iraq. "He wanted to save lives and bring back the younger guys," she said, describing him as "a loving husband and father who is irreplaceable and will be greatly missed."

Williams, who joined the N.C. Army National Guard in July 2003, was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He is survived by his mother, Susan L. Williams, and sister, Mary Beth Williams.

Williams, whom family called Blake, "felt like he had a calling to serve," his sister said.

He was apprehensive at first about returning to Iraq, his mother said.

"After he met some of the people over there this time, he knew he needed to be there, he was making a difference," Susan Williams said.

The 1132 Military Police Co. mobilized in June 2007 with about 120 soldiers and is stationed in Baghdad. The company is scheduled to return to North Carolina this fall.

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Thomas C. Ray II

Authored by: anonymous on Monday, March 24 2008 @ 06:39 PM EDT

Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family, and we bless them and pray for them during this difficult time.

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Thomas C. Ray II

Authored by: anonymous on Tuesday, March 25 2008 @ 07:07 PM EDT

i'm sorry for the lost of a loved one and a fellow war-devil. sgt ed butts, 1132nd mp co., rear det

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Thomas C. Ray II

Authored by: Nectarmaiden on Wednesday, March 26 2008 @ 10:40 AM EDT

My words may not ease the family's pain but please know that you are not alone.

---
Freedom Isn't Free

www.soldiersangels.org

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Thomas C. Ray II

Authored by: anonymous on Wednesday, April 02 2008 @ 09:00 PM EDT

Thomas,
I would just like to say thank you to you and the other two soldiers who were also killed in that blast for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Military Police Corps Regimental Prayer
by Chaplain Michael Yarman

Heavenly Father-We approach You today because You have called us to be a people of prayer.

We praise You because You are our Creator, our Redeemer and our Provider.

We acknowledge our great need for You as we fulfill our our mission as soldiers.

We have been called to serve our nation as Military Police and we are proud of the honored heritaqge of the Regiment and our motto: Of the Troops and For the Troops.

Whether we are fighting an enemy, securing an area, patrolling the streets, or helping someone in distress, help us, O Lord, to always be men and women or integrity who can be counted on to do the the right thing.

Give us the strength for what is right and to oppose those who would do harm to our nation and the people we serve.

May we always be truthful in Word, Deed, and Signature, and bring honor through our service to the memory of those in the Regiment who gave the supreme sacrifice for their country.

Guide us now, Father, by giving us wisdom and knowledge from on high, that s Military Police we will always be prepared to Assist, Protect, and Defend.

A grateful citizen

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