Ruth Washington remembered the days when her son, Torrey Groce, played in the grass at Ft. Leonard Wood park in Missouri. Groce no longer plays in the serene park surrounded by family, instead he’s fighting on the battlefield.

Marine Lance Cpl. Groce, 21, deployed for Iraq Feb. 8 leaving his mother, four siblings and a fiancee in Natchez.

Washington said she didn’t expect her son to go off to war.

&uot;I just started to pray,&uot; Washington said as she held her son’s picture.

And she’s been praying ever since. Natchez resident Washington said she prays every day for her son to come back safe in her arms. She said writing letters and surrounding herself with pictures of her departed son gives her a sense of therapy.

&uot;I kiss (his picture) every day, Washington said. &uot;I feel sad when I don’t see a picture of him.&uot;

Determined, encouraging and positive are how close friends and relatives describe Groce.

&uot;He never had a defeated attitude about anything,&uot; said Salvation Army director and Groce’s previous employer Jeanne Brunner.

When he worked at the Salvation Army, while taking classes at Co-Lin Community College and working at the Natchez Fire Department he never complained, Brunner said.

She continues contact with Groce in Iraq and said he still doesn’t complain, even when she knows he’s going through difficult situations.

&uot;He’s never let circumstances dictate what he wanted to do with his life,&uot; Brunner said.

Groce not only used his positive attitude to improve himself, but his vision of life spread to those around him.

Nickolaus Groce, Torrey’s brother, often heard words of encouragement from Torrey during difficult times.

Friends and family said Groce joined the Marines because he needed money for college in order to have the best life he could.

&uot;He would tell me ‘Just because something is not going your way, just keep going,&uot; Nickolaus said.

Nickolaus said it’s hard not to have his brother’s voice of wisdom when he has a problem.

He remembers when troubles with math used to frustrate him. He said big brother Groce was always there to help, doing every problem step by step with Nickolaus.

Vernon Perry has been Groce’s best friend since fifth grade and was impacted by his love of football. Both friends played for the Natchez High football team.

&uot;He motivated me to step my game up and play too,&uot; Perry said.

Perry said not having his best friend physically for moral support is the hardest part of Groce being in Iraq.

&uot;If God chose him to go I know he’ll bring him back, because Torrey is a good person,&uot; he said.

Through e-mails received from friends and family about three times a week, Groce still encourages them from 8000 miles away.

&uot;I feel just as good when you succeed at something than when I succeed at something. I hope nothing for the best for you. Keep me in your prayers and thank you bro,&uot; Groce wrote to Nickolaus.

A positive outlook on life and strong-headed demeanor attracted the 5’1 Cresa Merritt to her 6’2 fiancee.

When Groce broke news about Iraq to Merritt her initial reaction came in tears.

&uot;I cried, cried and cried,&uot; she said.

Groce proposed to Merritt after military drill in Jackson on Jan. 6. As she walked into Groce’s room after just finding out he was back in town, she said she hugged Groce and told him how happy she was to see him. That’s when he asked ‘do you want to be even happier?’ she said. That began the fresh start to a new level in their relationship.

Merritt said among the many things she misses about her fiancee, like walks on the Riverfront where they talked about life and its hardships and glorified moments, it was Groce’s laugh that she dearly longs to hear. The last time Merritt heard the high-pitched laugh was Monday on the phone. Merritt said when she talks to Groce he constantly tells her the conditions he’s going through in Iraq and how much he misses the comfort of family and friends.

&uot;He joined the Marines to get out of his comfort zone,&uot; Merritt said.

His mother said in Natchez he wanted his career and opportunities to go faster, but things seemed to be holding still for him.

Although his laugh isn’t there when she goes to bed, Merritt sleeps in a piece of Groce every night&045;&045;an oversized T-shirt he gave her.

&uot;I just really miss him,&uot; she said.

Family and friends send care packages to support the young solider.

&uot;He needs to have a connection with his hometown,&uot; Brunner said.

Brunner said when she asks Groce what he needs he says ‘all I need is some cards and letters.’ Brunner said Groce is somebody from Natchez who needs encouragement.

Letters and phone calls aren’t the only thing that friends and family rely on to encourage Groce.

&uot;I leave him in the Lord’s hands every day,&uot; Washington said.

If you would like to connect to Groce, please mail letters or packages to:

Lance Corporal Torrey Groce

3rd Battalion 2nd Marines

H&S Company Motor T

Unit 73125

FP0AE 09509-3125