Spc. Jeremy L. Stacey, 23, of Bismarck, Ark., died July 5, 2007 inBaghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device.

Spc. Jeremy L. Stacey, 23, of Bismarck, Ark., died July 5, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device.
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Soldier who died in Iraq planned to make home here

Clara Garcia News-Bulletin Staff Writer;

Los Chavez, NM

Cpl. Jeremy L. Stacey lived in Valencia County for only a few months before joining the Army, but his grieving mother says he was planning on making it his home once he left the military.

His dream of one day living near his mother, Betty Click of Los Chavez, was lost on Thursday, July 5, when he was killed in Baghdad, Iraq. Stacey, 23, died of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device.

"It's been rough for all of us," said Click of her son's death. "It's been hard on me too. Every few minutes, I remember something about him, and I just can't believe he's gone."

Stacey joined the Army in September 2003, a few months after his family moved to Valencia County. He spent much of his youth in Amarillo, Texas, and later moved to Bismarck, Ark., where he graduated high school.

Click said her only son enlisted in the Army right after high school. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team and 1st Cavalry Division.

Stacey was an armor crewman and had been a decorated soldier. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. He was posthumously laterally appointed to the rank of corporal and was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Click said the last time she spoke to her son was in mid-June when he called her a few days before his sister Jessica was to be married.

"He just called to let me know that he was OK, but that things were getting a little rough," Click said. "I always worried about him."

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