Family and friends remember Sgt. Curtis E. Glawson Jr. as a man who always tried to make the best of things no matter what the circumstances.

Glawson, 24, Daleville, Ala., was killed March 20, 2007, when a roadside bomb destroyed the vehicle he was riding in during combat operations in Iraq. He was assisting another unit at the time of his death.

On the Dothan Eagle guest book website, a fellow soldier, Sgt. Amin Gemayel Jones, wrote an emotional tribute to his buddy.

"To one of the greatest men I will have ever known, I feel blessed that God chose me to spend your last moments here on earth with, and you will never be forgotten," Jones wrote. "I remember all the great times we had, from times of being broke to the times when we were getting that money. You always made the best of out of everything that was thrown at us."

Glawson's father, Curtis E. Glawson Sr., expressed pride in his son.

"No father could more proud," Glawson told the Associated Press. "He sacrificed his life. He paid the ultimate price."

Glawson was assigned to the 610th Brigade Support Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley.

Glawson was born in Detroit, Mich., but went to high school in Daleville, Ala., where was a member of the varsity basketball team.

Glawson joined the Army in November of 2000. He attended basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., where he was trained as a light wheel mechanic. His first duty station was Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served as a mechanic.

His next duty station was Camp Stanley, Korea. Glawson arrived at Fort Riley in November of 2006 and was assigned to Echo Company in the 610th Brigade Support Battalion of the 4th Brigade Combat Team. With the Echo Company he deployed to Iraq in February and served as a recovery vehicle mechanic.

Awards and decorations include the Purple Heart (posthumous), and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

He is survived by his wife, Hyum.