Condolences to a fallen Patriot

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My prayers go out to he family from one soldier to another.




Fallen Marietta Soldier Remembered

Heather Thompson Reports
(200K)



Army Captain Hayes Clayton, Jr.




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Pope pleads for peace in a time of conflicts


Reported By: Heather Thompson
Web Editor: Leigha Baugham
Last Modified: 12/30/2006 11:50:21 PM


The family of a Metro Atlanta soldier killed in Iraq on Christmas Day gathered Saturday in Union City to celebrate his life.

Army Captain Hayes Clayton, Jr. was killed in an explosion after being in the war torn country for just three months.

The 29-year-old grew up in Marietta and his spent every moment with his wife and infant son before he left for Iraq.

Saturday, Clayton’s Omega Psi Phi Fraternity brothers organized a gathering of friends and family to celebrate a man they said died doing what he was called to do.

Clayton had dreams of becoming a politician and believed it was his duty to serve his county, especially during a time of war.

“Before he was anything else, he was a man who loved God, loved his family and I never questioned his love for me,” said Clayton’s wife Monica.

The strength that Hayes received from his faith is a gift that he leaves behind to those that didn’t know him.

“No matter what happened, my brother knew Jesus and that’s what we want people to know,” said Clayton's brother Eric.