More than 100 boxes destined for U.S. troops in Iraq were assembled and delivered by JROTC cadets in honor of their instructor, whose son was killed in Iraq last month. ROBERT A. MARTIN/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

Packages shipped in memory SPOTSYLVANIA >> ROTC instructor's son was killed in Iraq TWO SONS, AND FOUR IRAQ TOURS FOR MALLARD SONS

Spotsylvania's JROTC students send care packages to Iraq, in memory of an Army captain who was killed there last month

Date published: 4/11/2008

By CATHY DYSON

Before Capt. Torre Mallard left for his second tour of duty in Iraq, he and his father talked about care packages, among other things.

The Army captain thought it would be great if his father's students in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Spotsylvania Career and Technical Center sent boxes to the troops.

Yesterday, the JROTC students loaded up 100 packages as the captain asked. But instead of being sent to him, they are being sent in the officer's memory.

Capt. Torre Mallard was killed by an improvised explosive device on March 10 in Balad Ruz, Iraq. His father, Master Sgt. Mose Mallard, thought it was important for the cadets to finish the mission and so did the students

"It's a really sad time, but at the same time, it's really brought everyone together," said senior George Arvan. "It makes you appreciate life because you never know what could happen."

The JROTC students were the reason the elder Mallard came back to work shortly after his son's funeral. Plus, he doesn't like to be idle.

The 46-year-old spent 22 years in the Army, including a year in Iraq during Desert Storm/Desert Shield. He taught JROTC in Fairfax County for three years before he came to the Spotsylvania school in 2006.

Mallard knew how much the county supported the JROTC program, but he didn't realize that extended to him personally until his son's funeral.

Torre Mallard was a decorated officer with the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas. His funeral was held at the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which Mallard graduated with honors in 2002.

When Mose Mallard entered the West Point chapel, his jaw dropped when he saw Spotsylvania people. Three fellow instructors, two students and one parent made the six-hour drive to New York.

"I just lost it, I cried, out of joy, that people thought so much of my son," Mallard said.

Sophomores Krystal Cole and Samantha Sensel talked Samantha's mother, Jerri Arrington, into driving them to the service.

"He's kind of like a father to some of us," Krystal said. "Since he's always been there for us, we wanted to be there for him."

Sgt. Ed Fulmore, a fellow JROTC instructor, also attend the funeral with instructors Tim McLeod and Lee DeMatteo.

Mallard said each of his students sent him a card or letter. Some of those same students said they weren't sure how to act when Mallard returned to school, but just seeing him made them feel better.

"I'm not gonna say he's 'regular,' but he's trying his best, which is making it comfortable for the rest of us," said sophomore Joia Coleman. "I think it's taught us how to be strong, no matter what someone goes through."

Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com

Master Sgt. Mose Mallard wasn't at school yesterday, when JROTC cadets packed up care packages to send to Iraq. He was at Fort Hood, Texas, for a memorial service for his son, Capt. Torre Mallard, who was killed in Iraq March 10. The elder Mallard timed his trip to be back at the Spotsylvania Career and Technical Center by this morning. He's taking the drill team to a Saturday competition in Winston-Salem, N.C., and expects to bring home a trophy. Both sons of Master Sgt. Mose Mallard and his wife, Robin, did two tours in Iraq, and for a brief time, both were there together. Torre, 27, was an Army captain who died March 10 in Iraq. Terrence, 24, was leaving Iraq for the second time last fall when his older brother arrived. In 2004, both were in Iraq for the first time when Terrence was injured by an improvised explosive device. Torre was able to be with his brother, who took some shrapnel in his back, "and that made us all feel a whole lot better," their father said. Because Torre was a company commander, his parents were confident he'd take care of himself and his soldiers. They worried more about the safety of Terrence, who has since left the Army and is in college in Alabama. Mose Mallard now believes Torre put the needs of others ahead of his own. "I think he was doing everything to protect everybody else, but himself," he said. "He led by example."

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Date published: 4/11/2008

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