Sgt. Byron W. Norwood, U.S.M.C. (KIA)

Marine remembered at Pflugerville funeral

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas - Family and friends gathered in this Central Texas town to remember a Marine who died during his second deployment to Iraq.

Marine Sgt. Byron Wayne Norwood, killed Nov. 13 during combat in Iraq, used to perform in high school plays and band concerts in the same performing arts center where the two-hour ceremony was held Sunday, the Austin American-Statesman reports in its Sunday online editions.

Family and friends recalled the sense of humor and beaming smile of the 1998 graduate of Pflugerville High School. They also said that he was a man who cherished his family, relied on his faith and had exemplary courage and maturity for a 25-year-old.

The Rev. Dale Schulz, pastor of St. Philip's United Methodist Church in Round Rock, said being a Marine was a "natural expression" for Norwood.

"Those of you who wear the uniform, those of you who have ever worn a uniform of your country, you take a vow to be a warrior . . . never for war's sake," Schulz said. "It is to protect, it is to defend, it is to be a peacemaker. That's what Byron believed in."

Norwood was deployed to Iraq for the invasion to oust Saddam Hussein in January 2003. He returned home after six months but was sent again to the fight in July. The U.S. Department of Defense said that he died as a result of enemy action in the Al Anbar province, which is just west of Baghdad and includes the city of Fallujah.

Norwood was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force led the charge into Fallujah, an offensive that began Nov. 7.

The third of five children, Norwood is survived by his parents, Bill and Janet Norwood; siblings Kristen Hullum, 28, Grant Norwood, 26, Grayson Norwood, 22, and Colin Norwood, 20; and grandparents Jake W. Aston and Jeane Aston of Houston.

Jake Aston, a Marine who served during World War II, spoke on the family's behalf during the ceremony. He said he was initially hesitant when Byron said he wanted to join the Marines.

Norwood was looking forward to enrolling at Texas Tech University after completing his enlistment requirement, Aston said.

Once, while attending church with Aston, a boy asked if Norwood was a "real Marine," he said. With a glance toward the coffin, Aston said, "Byron, you are our real Marine."