Raymond C. Sgt. Alacaz, Jr.

Raymond C Alcaraz Jr was born on Nov.4,1989 at Redlands Community Hospital. From the time he was born he was smiling, as if to tell the world I m here so get ready for me. From the time he started to walk to the day he went to the Lord, people would always say He lit up the room and made people laugh . Ray attended Kingsbury elementary school, Moore Middle School, Redlands East Valley High school the first 3 years and then attended Redlands High School for his senior year and graduated a Terrior. Raymond played 7 years of baseball in RBY till his final year at age 14. Raymond loved baseball more than anything else and like most little boys, dreamed of playing in the pros. Raymond said Baseball taught himself discipline and team work . But his ultimate goal was to join the Army and eventually become a Firefighter. In his Senior year Essay In high school, he talked of his desire to join the Military and always looked to his older brother Lucas who was his role model. Joining the military in Ray s own words after Bootcamp was This was the best decision I ever made. He was so proud of himself after graduating Army medic school, then graduating Army Airborne school in Ft.Benning,Ga all by the age of 18. Everyone was so proud of the little boy that had just grown into a man. Raymond s ultimate love was for his family. His love for his parents and grandparents were always his priority. He was loved by so many and they loved him. When Ray finally deployed to Afghanistan on his first tour in 2008 he never had any fears, like most 18 yr olds who feel invincible. Ray loved his job, always telling his family when he called home how much he loved helping the kids, or the soldier he helped save. His sense of humor in the operating room always made his peers feel at ease. He was requested more than any other medic for missions due to his passion for the job. On Aug.31st, 2010 at approx. 0900 SGT Raymond Alcaraz Jr graduated for his final mission and The Lord brought him home. SGT Alcaraz s awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Good Conduct Medal (first award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral three), the NATO Medal, a Certificate of Achievement, the Combat Medic Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge. SGT Alcaraz was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. Raymond is survived by his Father Raymond Alcaraz SR, his mother Alma Murphy, step-father Paul Murphy, grand-father Alfredo Alcaraz and grand-mother Catalina Novoa and his brother SFC Lucas Gonzales who is still currently serving In the U.S Army in Ft Irwin California. Freedom is not free. For evil to conquer, good men need to do nothing. If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, they want something which never has or never will be.