LITTLE ROCK — When Bingham Road Baptist Church's family life center needed renovations, Brad Marshall was among the first to volunteer his help. He joined the building committee and spent hours painting the center's more than a dozen roof beams a brilliant white.
But Marshall didn't get to see the completion of the years-long renovation project. On July 31, 2007, the Army sergeant was killed by mortar fire while on foot at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq. He was 37.
On Sunday, the Southern Baptist congregation recognized Marshall's contributions to both his church and his country by dedicating the newly refurbished building as the Brad Marshall Family Life Center.
"In high school, he went to teenage activities here, and our kids grew up here," his wife, Gina Marshall, said. "The church meant a lot to him. He would have loved to have known that this happened."
Hundreds of members and visitors packed into the newly named family life center for a worship service that also markedthe 34th anniversary of the 410-member church. Sitting at the front four tables were members of Marshall's family including his sons Wesley, 18, and Tanner, 17.
They sat inside a giant room that has already played host to a Super Bowl party and Christian rock concert. Church members also will use the building for day-care activities, sporting events, movie nights and other gatherings.
Willard A. Zeiser, the Marshalls' longtime pastor, said the building would pay tribute not only to Marshall's memory butalso be dedicated "to the glory of the holy God."
Sunday's service brought worshippers to their feet but also brought some to tears as friends shared their memories of the fallen soldier.
Tanner Marshall reminded many of what had been lost when he played a saxophone solo while dozens of photos of his dad at home and in Iraq flashed on a giant screen behind him.
Specialist Ramsey Raher, who was Marshall's roommate in Iraq, also made the congregation laugh when he recalledhanging out with his comrade at a coffee bar.
"He would teach me about putting salted peanuts in a Coke bottle," Raher said, "and how it was so good, 'It'd make you want to slap your momma.'"
Raher added that Marshall exemplified the values he preached, such as loyalty and duty.
His comrade "continues tomotivate and inspire me everyday."
Gina Marshall said her husband's Christian faith meant "everything" to him.
"He said it was God's will, calling him back to the military," she said.
Brad Marshall served in the Army from 1990 to 1994, then reenlisted in 2006.
He was assigned to Bravo Battery, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. His achievements in Iraq earned him a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
Fran Marshall, his mother, said she is so glad the building will stand as a lasting testimony to her son's legacy. The name Brad Marshall Family Life Center emblazons the outside wall in giant green letters.
A plaque listing Marshall's accomplishments will hang inside.
"I don't want anyone to ever forget what my son did and who my son is," she said.
Arkansas, Pages 7, 9 on 03/02/2009