PROCTORVILLE — Remembering a young paratrooper from North Carolina gave special meaning to the annual Operation Christmas Stocking Drive conducted by the Proctorville Woman’s Club.

Cpl. Pruitt A. Rainey, 22, serving with the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, was killed in Afghanistan in mid July of this year during a Taliban attack. Rainey was a friend of the family of Helen Galligan, a member of the eastern county club. He was among nine soldiers who died in the small-arms and grenade attack.

An Associated Press story at the time of the incident reported the soldier had plans to return to college to become a teacher after his tour was completed. Rainey, who was a wrestler and youth leader at his hometown Baptist Church, was remembered as role model for young people.

The drive is to collect toiletries and sundries to send over to the men and women serving overseas in the armed forces. Joining the drive were Fairland High School students who brought in items which were picked up by the woman’s club who spent hours filling stockings.

Participating in the project were Kim Staggs, Doris Boster, Betty Edwards, Sharon Jack, Mary Alice Cooper and Helen Galligan.