LACEY, WA, USA U.S. Army SGT, COMPANY C, 2D BATTALION, 27TH INFANTRY, SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI RIYADH, IRAQ 09/23/2006
Locklear, who was born in El Paso and played high school football in the West Texas city, was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
The Army lists his hometown as Lacey, Wash.
Locklear’s father, retired Sergeant Major Velton Locklear Jr., told the El Paso Times for Tuesday’s edition that the soldier joined the Army after a semester in college.
“He wanted to be an infantry soldier,” the elder Locklear told the newspaper. “He was interested in being up front where all the action is.”
The traditional “Taps” song was part of the memorial ceremony, as well as a 21 Gun Salute. Locklear’s wife, Denise, wept as she was handed a purple heart for the wounds her husband received, and a bronze star for his contributions to the war on terrorism. The couple’s two young boys sat beside their mother the entire time, and looked on as she was handed the American flag.
“We had singing, we sang Amazing Grace, and the preacher gave a beautiful service,” his sister Julie Angulo said. I know that’s what Velton wanted and he was very happy with that.”
This was Locklear’s second tour in Iraq. The first time he volunteered and the second time he was deployed when he re-enlisted. He was killed by a roadside bomb while driving with another soldier last month.