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More than a decade after Cal Farleys Boys Ranch alumnus Rafael TJ Carrillo Jr. was killed in action serving for the US Army in Iraq, a statue honoring him and other Boys Ranch alums who have fallen in action will be unveiled today at the Boys Ranch Cemetery.

Carrillo, originally from Austin, spent five years at Boys Ranch where he played football, wrestled, was active in the chapel program and discovered that the military was where he wanted to be following his graduation in 2002.

He was killed by an improvised explosive device in Iraq in June 2005 while serving as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Carrillo was assigned to HHC 1-64 Battalion, 2nd Brigade Team, 3rd Infantry Division, mortar platoon. He served as an M1114 armored Humvee gunner. On the day of his death, Carrillo was conducting an area-security mission at a road junction in Baghdad. He was 21 years old.

Carrillo was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart by the Army.

Were proud to honor TJ and so many others whove sacrificed so much for our nation, Cal Farleys President & CEO Dan Adams said. It was important to TJ to make life better for the children of Iraq, just as Cal Farleys improves the lives of young people like him from across the United States.

The statue will serve in memory of Carrillo and all others who came through Cal Farleys before making the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Members of Carrillos family, as well as former military friends and commanders from around the country will be present today for the official unveiling.

Its hard to find the words, Carrillos mother Amy Tippie said of the statue honoring her son. Its so amazing, and something I never thought wed see. This is a reminder of TJ and the sacrifice he made, and his time at Boys Ranch.

According to Tippie, Carrillo was not enamored with the idea of coming to Boys Ranch, often fighting the rules early in his time there. But by his senior year, he had turned things around and discovered the military is where he wanted to be, she said.

During Carrillos junior year a family friend who was a high-ranking military official visited Tippie and and Boys Ranch, and it was that meeting that made TJ want to join the military.

He actually enlisted at the start of his senior year when he was 17, Tippie said. But of course he needed to graduate high school first.

Shortly after graduating from Boys Ranch High School, Carrillo officially enlisted in the Army, spending nearly three years in the service before his death.

Family, those at Boys Ranch and the military remember Carrillo most for his sense of humor particularly the voice impressions he did.

His sense of humor is what I always remember, Tippie said. He was always a joker, and a lot of that was to get attention. The boys at Boys Ranch called him Batman, and I remember one time he said he was going to prove he could fly by jumping out a window, but it was closed so it didnt work out too well for him. He even carried that sense of humor into the army. His peers and leaders said he was very good at doing voice imitations.

After his death they held a memorial service for him in Iraq and the sergeant said that he hoped he was using his real voice when he met St. Peter.

Now, 12 years after his death, his memory and sacrifice will live on at the Boys Ranch Cemetery with todays unveiling of the statue. It takes on special meaning for Tippie, as it was designed and cast by Clint Howard, a cousin of Tippies husband.

That makes it so much more special, Tippie said of having family work on the statue. Clint worked very closely with me and Julie, TJs sister, on making it right. He wanted to get everythign right, TJ even had a scar on his chin, and Clint went to that level of detail. Its been an amazing experience for us all.

The 6,000-pound sculpture is based upon a photo taken of Carrillo by one of his fellow soldiers. It depicts Carrillo kneeling beside an Iraqi boy. Both Carrillo and the boy are displaying a thumbs up gesture.

In addition to family being on-hand for the ceremony Tippie found out Thursday that one of Carrillos Army instructors, Sherman Powell, will be flying in from Michigan to attend Saturday.

When it all started I was so grateful and didnt want anyone to put this out there in any ways Tippie said. But Cal Farleys has been so behind us in support it touches your heart, thats just who they are.

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Cal Farley dedicates sculpture to alumnus lost in Iraq War - Amarillo.com