PARKER — Marine Cpl. Larry Harris Jr., 24, had just finished a tough, four-hour firefight in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
The next day, he found himself in another battle against the Taliban along with comrades from the India Company, Third Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment.
“From what I know, he had been in a gunfight for quite a few hours,” said Stacia Harris, Larry Harris’ widow. “One of his junior Marines had been shot and wounded. He had picked him up and carried him away when he tripped on the IED.”
That bomb — an improvised explosive device — took Harris’ life. Three others injured in the blast lived, including the Marine who had been shot, Lance Cpl. Jake Henry.
Now, Harris’ family is remembering his life and heroism fighting overseas.
“We definitely want his life to be celebrated,” Stacia Harris said.
A family prayer service for Harris is scheduled for 6 p.m. today at King Baptist Church, 3370 Ivy St. in Denver. Funeral services are planned for July 14.
