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A grateful mom on Veterans Day

By ANDREW SKERRITT
Published November 10, 2006

Alida Langley has been looking forward to Veterans Day.

While her son's Army unit was serving in Iraq last year, her family was overwhelmed by the generosity and prayers from folks around Citrus County. Clarence made it home safely and the experience has inspired him to become a minister. Mom is so grateful she has planned a party at the Floral City community center on Saturday in honor of all veterans.

This is not so much about flag waving, although there will be plenty of that. It's an act of gratitude for those who helped Mrs. Langley get through a trying year and, as she says, every service person who has sacrificed for our freedom.

Clarence's path to military service story might be called predictable - or a family tradition.

Fourteen years ago, after graduating from Citrus High School and attending East Tennessee State for a year, his dad fell ill and he quit college to join the Army.

Dad, also named Clarence, had served during the Korean War. Older sisters Florence Langley and Dora Williams wore uniforms. Florence was in the Air Force for about six years; Dora is a veteran of the Gulf War.

When he joined the Army, Clarence's goal was to become a sergeant major, the highest rank you can achieve as an enlisted soldier.

He earned seven promotions, rising from private to sergeant, in seven years. His duty took him to bases in Georgia, North Carolina, South Korea and Hawaii. In 2003, he was admitted to Officer Candidates School at Fort Benning, Ga.

He earned his commission as America was at war. His outfit, the 25th Infantry Division, was deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq, in 2004.

He witnessed such extreme poverty and suffering in Iraq, it changed him forever. Leading the 57 men and women in his platoon and getting them home safely, despite the rockets, mortars and roadside bombs, humbled him.

After combat, he felt God wanted him to come home to Floral City to serve.

Lt. Clarence Langley III, now 34, left the Army in May. An ordained minister, he's pursuing a master's of divinity degree. He might join the reserves as a chaplain. But that's the future.

With a wife and four children to support, he works as a manager at Ferris Groves, not far from where he grew up in Floral City.

He's still adjusting to civilian life, to a wardrobe that doesn't include fatigues. He still says, "yes sir" and "no sir" in casual conversation. He's a stand-straight, look-you-in-the-eye kind of guy.

Makes you want to salute.

On Saturday, as a grateful nation gathers for ceremonies, the Langley family will give thanks that their son made it home. You can join them if you wish, from 12:30 to 5 p.m.

Andrew Skerritt can be reached at 813 909-4602 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 4602. His e-mail address is askerritt@sptimes.com

[Last modified November 10, 2006, 07:16:14]