Sharon soldier laid to rest

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(Host) For the second time in a week, a Vermont family laid to rest a young son killed in the fighting in Iraq.

Army Sergeant Carlton Clark of Sharon died when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on patrol in Baghdad.

VPR’s Steve Zind reports.

(Zind) Several hundred people filled the white church on Sharon’s small village green. They were Clark’s family and friends – along with neighbors, veterans, and state officials.

A group of parents of other Vermonters who have died in Iraq sat together.

The Reverend Rebecca Delzell told the mourners that under the uniform, every soldier is unique, with different motivations and different personalities. She described Clark as a quiet young man who didn’t care for crowds, but enjoyed the company of friends.

(Delzell) “Carl was a man of very few words. And when they were spoken in his quiet voice, they were short, sweet, and to the point. And if you weren’t listening closely, you were flat out of luck because chances were Carl wasn’t going to repeat what he just said.”

(Zind) Clark was a stand-out track star at South Royalton High School. Delzell says he chose track instead of baseball because there were more girls on the team.

Bryana Fisk read a poem written by Clark in his senior year at high school.

(Fisk) “Friends leave lasting impressions, but true friends never leave. They’re there from the first day they meet, and are by your side in the end.
They get you through hard times, with you in the sad times.
No matter what, they’re there, true friends will never part.
They battle as one, and come out strong. Here and there it’s always done.”

(Zind) Clark was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. He had won several medals including a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was awarded a second Purple Heart posthumously.

(Delzell) “With faith in your great mystery and mercy, we entrust Carl Alan Clark to your eternal care.”

(Zind) Carlton Clark would have been 23 years old next week.

For Vermont Public Radio, I’m Steve Zind in Sharon.

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