Gary’s son, Marine Reservist Lance Cpl. Louis Qualls, was killed in Fallujah, Iraq last fall. Mr. Qualls gained national recognition by establishing “Fort Qualls” in Crawford, Texas to present a counter-viewpoint for our troops and their mission, in contrast to what was presented at Camp Casey.

News

• Choking up, Mr. Qualls said his son was admitted to duty "when he witnessed what happened on September 11 and knew we could not afford to keep sitting around and wait for another 3,000 to be killed by terrorists, or another 3,000, or another 3,000." Washington Times, 9/26/05

• "The day my son turned 18, he had already signed up in the Marines, and that's the day he left," Gary Qualls said. "I was so proud of him taking that step. It was his choice." Qualls, 20, of Temple, Texas, was shot and killed Nov. 16 in Fallujah, his father said. Stationed in Grand Prairie, Texas, Qualls had jumped at the chance to go to Iraq. In letters and e-mails, Qualls told his father of house-to-house searches and how humbling they were. "These people were so poor -- they had dirt floors and a sheet hanging in the corner with a can for a toilet," Gary Qualls said. "He realized how lucky he truly was. He gained a lot more respect for life." San Luis Obispo Tribune, 3/5/05