On a gloriously sunny and blustery day in central Pennsylvania, a day locals recognize as the inevitable seasonal change from autumn to winter, a grateful town and nation bade farewell to one of its most beloved and respected heroes. A brave and strong soldier’s wife was there, with a loving daughter and son at their father’s side. A large and close-knit family, the kind small towns are made of, was supported by every member of their community, the way small towns still do. Several hundred classmates from the National War College, a full honors details from the 82d Airborne Division, dozens of USMA classmates and Army football teammates, fellow officers, uniformed colleagues, friends and admirers from days past, all were there. Under God’s watchful eyes, in a magnificent chapel setting just steps from the heart of this community in mourning, the life and love and achievements of Larry Hardeman Pruitt were celebrated.

Indeed, Larry would have been proud of his hometown of Berwick, PA, a town Larry loved because growing up there had shaped his life and had turned out to honor a man whose life seemed to touch everyone in the same way.

Larry was born the son of Robert S. and Elriechia Louise "Rickie" (Hardeman) Pruitt of Berwick. Any visit to the Pruitt family home was a delightful mixture of sibling rivalry, athletic competition, both inside and outside, and parental nurturing. The love shared between Bobby and Rickie Pruitt was passed on to eight very close children: Larry’s sisters Susan, Patty, and Carla and brothers Bobby, Jonathan, Carl, Ronnie, and Kermit. It was in the midst of this loving family that Larry would learn the principles he would carry throughout his lifetime: caring for others, leadership through compassion, athletic prowess honed by friendly competition, and a gentle way of giving completely of one’s self.

Larry Pruitt poured his life into every person he met and was loved, in return, by all whose life he touched.

With his dad watching over him, young Larry would begin his athletic career playing youth football in Berwick. His speed was honed by family track meets, thrilling races against older brothers down 5th Avenue in front of the Pruitt home. He would go on to become a star for Berwick High School and the town hero on the "Bulldogs" squad in the late 1970s. His high school coach, providing a very emotional eulogy, would remember Larry as the team’s impact player, the one who could lead the charge toward victory. He graduated with honors in 1979 and also lettered in basketball and track. His exploits would lead to his induction into the Berwick Area Sports Hall of Fame.

To no one’s surprise, Larry was accepted to West Point and heavily recruited for the Army football team. He represented all that is great about Army athletes: selfless determination to excel for one’s teammates, character shaped by an unyielding will to compete fairly, and intelligence and wisdom displayed equally on the field and in the classroom. During his Plebe year, he made the starting team as a wide receiver and started all four years. Outsized, but never outplayed, Larry could play flanker or defensive back and was Army’s primary punt returner his junior and senior years. For nine weeks during the 1982 college football season, CDT Larry Pruitt was the leading punt returner in the nation.

During his West Point years, Larry made lifelong friends easily with his warmly open style and sincere sense of caring for others. His D-2 buddies would gather at the "Pru-Dog’s" room on Sunday evenings to recount the weekend’s adventures and get psyched up for the challenges that lie ahead. Larry Pruitt was an event, and people just wanted to be close to him.

After graduation, he was asked to remain for the fall semester at West Point as a graduate assistant coach to the Army football team. Larry then reported to Ft. Bliss, TX, for the Basic Course as an air defense Artillery officer.

Larry then picked up both his Airborne Wings and his Ranger Tab. He went on to the 1st Battalion, 1st ADA Regiment, Spangdahlem, Germany. While in Germany, Larry married his beloved wife, Lisa Jackson, who grew up in Bloomsburg, PA

His next tour of duty brought Larry to Ft. Lewis, WA, as A.D. operations officer at the 9th Infantry Division. CPT Pruitt impressed everyone he met and was selected to command Charlie Battery, 3-2 ADA after a stint as battalion adjutant. As commander of Charlie Battery, he deployed to Desert Storm during January-May 1991. Then he went back to the East Coast for a stop at PERSCOM as recorder for the Department of Army Selection Boards, attended CAS3, earned a master’s degree at the Marine Corps CGSC, and attended advanced warfighting school. He was promoted to major ahead of his year group, the first of two such occurrences. Larry was tapped to deploy immediately to Haiti as chief of plans, part of the United Nations mission. As that country began to unravel in civil war, Larry found himself and his detail facing an angry and riotous mob that had broken through the barricades. Larry was hit on the head by flying debris, seriously injured, yet remained composed and led his charges out of harm’s way. Among those saved from certain calamity was Mrs. Tipper Gore, wife of former Vice President Al Gore. When Mrs. Gore later learned of Larry’s passing, she sent a thoughtful, personal note to Lisa, Jessica, and Josh.

After recovering from his wounds, Larry was transferred to Ft. Drum, NY, to serve as battalion executive officer, 3-62 ADA. While at Ft. Drum, Larry was able to return to one of his life’s passions: coaching and mentoring young athletes. He took special pleasures in witnessing the exploits of his daughter Jessica and son Josh.

The Pruitts then returned to Ft. Bliss, and Larry was promoted to lieutenant colonel, a second below-zone promotion, and served as 31st Brigade S-3 and deputy commander of the 31st ADA Brigade. From there, LTC Larry Pruitt was among the very first of our class to take battalion command, nothing less than 3-4 ADA in the 82d Airborne Division! On a rainy, cold Ft. Bragg afternoon, a battalion of Skystrikers would meet their new commander, whom they would quickly come to love.

Larry’s successful command transitioned into a coveted slot at the prestigious National War College in Washington, DC. It was there, on the fields of friendly strife that LTC Larry H. Pruitt would succumb to a barely detectable heart ailment.

On this fitting, incredibly beautiful day, one of our nation’s most complete impact players, and Berwick’s finest, was summoned by higher command. Larry Pruitt’s long and glorious campaign on earth would end that splendid autumn day.

Grip hands!