CONCORD, N.C. -- A family in Concord is grieving the loss of their son who was killed Monday in Iraq when a U.S.-trained member of the Iraqi army suddenly opened fire, killing 22-year- old James McClamrock and another U.S. soldier.
McClamrock's father is the pastor of the Concord ARP Church on Union Street, one of the oldest churches in Concord.
The family left their home on the church grounds Wednesday afternoon, headed to the U.S. Air Force base in Dover, Delaware, where their son's body is to be returned to U.S. soil.
McClamrock's great-aunt, Flora Hurlocker, spoke for the family Wednesday afternoon.
"He was one of six children,” she says. “But he was very loved and very special to all of us."
Among those who stopped by the family's home to pay their respects was Concord Mayor Scott Padgett.
"My job, and our job as neighbors here in this city, is to show support for this family in every way we can and I'm sure our citizens will do that," Padgett says.
McClamrock was in the town of Luz, north of Baghdad, when the Iraqi soldier opened fire.
Other U.S. forces then killed the Iraqi soldier.
There is no word on when funeral services will be held. A special prayer service was held for McClamrock Wednesday night at Concord ARP Church.
When asked how best she would remember James, his great-aunt told a story about James talking to his mother from Iraq.
"His mother was asking if he needed something for his friends. She was going to send a box,” she remembers. “He said, 'All they need is Jesus.'"
