Lorraine Sparks of Taylor said she’s "glued" to TV coverage of the war in Iraq, especially news of the Third U.S. Army, which is in charge of coalition land forces.

Her interest is personal as well as patriotic.

Her son, Command Sgt. Maj. John Sparks, 42, is the highest-ranking noncommissioned officer in the Army’s ground forces in Iraq.

"I am so proud of that child," Lorraine Sparks said. "He’s done very well. "He’s trying to fight for his country and doing what he believes in to make this a better place for his family."

Sparks lived in Brownstown Township and attended Woodhaven High School before joining the Army in 1978.

He serves as an adviser and assistant to Lt. Gen. David McKiernan, commanding general of the Third Army, the U.S. Army Forces Central Command and the Coalition Forces Land Component Command.

McKiernan serves directly under Gen. Tommy Franks, commander-in-chief of U.S. Central Command.

The command sergeant major is married to Janet Smith Sparks, a 1979 Woodhaven High School graduate. They have three daughters: Becky, 19; Kelli, 17; and Katy, 10, who live in Fort Hood, Texas.

"Janet was named a Yellow Rose of Texas by Gov. Rick Perry, and has also received the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal for her volunteer work with military families," said her father, Richard Smith of Brownstown.

He and his wife, Linda, share Lorraine Sparks’ pride in their daughter and son-in-law.

"John is just an outstanding person," Richard Smith said. "He is one of the youngest ever to attain the rank that he has. He left high school in 11th grade, but look what he’s been able to do."

His son-in-law’s responsibilities involve matters of troop welfare, Smith said.

When McKiernan visits the officers under his command, Sparks travels with him.

While McKiernan gets updates on strategy and action from officers, Sparks talks to enlisted men.

He finds out if they have any problems, if their equipment is right, if they’re getting needed support from other units, and things of that nature, Smith said.

"He understands the viewpoints of the common soldier," Smith said. "He can give the general really good advice and insight on how things are going for the guys who are there where the rubber meets the road."

Sparks did his basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., and has served in all tank crew positions, as a cavalry scout, platoon sergeant, operation sergeant and first sergeant.

His background and experience give him a good understanding of what is necessary for the troops to function at peak efficiency, Smith said.

Sparks has served with the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment, the Armor Center, the Marine Corps Detachment at Fort Knox and as a drill sergeant and drill sergeant instructor.

His military education includes all levels of the noncommissioned officer education system, drill sergeant school, the battle staff noncommissioned officer course, the master fitness course and various other courses.

As a kid, Sparks was "friendly, open and easy-going," his mother said.

The Army was just the right fit for him, she added.

"Johnny has faith," she said. "His belief in God and his country is what’s pulled him through, and his wife, Janet."