Two Illinois Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan

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By Maggie Vespa

Story Published: Jun 20, 2009 at 6:19 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 21, 2009 at 5:53 PM CST

Two Illinois soldiers are dead following a road-side-bomb attack in Afghanistan yesterday. Sergeant Paul Smith and Staff Sergeant Joshua Melton were both members of the Illinois Army National Guard.
Smith was an East Peoria resident and graduate of East Peoria High School. He was forty-three years old.
Melton resided in Germantown. The twenty-six-year-old graduated from Central Community High School in Breese, Illinois.
No arrangements have been made for either soldier.

Monday, Jun 22 at 8:31 AM Karen Dean wrote ...

Paul was the Husband of My Cousin Kim, We will miss him, My Son is currently in Iraq

Sunday, Jun 21 at 8:38 PM john brewer wrote ...

im a viet nam vet ive had many of my friends who died over there i send my condolience to these young men who are visitims of war just like all my friends that gave their lives in vietnam my prayers goes out to all the famileys god bless you all

Sunday, Jun 21 at 7:27 PM So Sorry wrote ...

Im sorry to hear about these fine young men. I thought our new president would be bringing the troops home so we don't continue to have more innocent people killed. He's taking way too long to do the job.

Sunday, Jun 21 at 2:56 PM Alice wrote ...

These brave men gave their all and are HEROES. God bless them and I pray His peace to their families.

Sunday, Jun 21 at 2:23 PM jason wrote ...

to our fallen soldiers, we love you and will always remember the sacrifice you have made to serve our country. rest in peace my brothers.

Sunday, Jun 21 at 9:56 AM JERRY FARRELL wrote ...

IM A VIET NAM VETERAN WHO SPEAKS FOR ALL VIETNAM VETERANS WHEN I SAY WE LOVE ALL THOSE SACRIFICING AND THEIR FAMILIES

Sunday, Jun 21 at 8:16 AM Jim wrote ...

Heros. Both will be missed

Sunday, Jun 21 at 8:04 AM Chris wrote ...

i worked with paul. he was a great american, he will be missed

Sunday, Jun 21 at 7:16 AM Jon Wilcoxson wrote ...

Every time I hear of a death in Afganastan, my heart knots up. The love of my life's son is currently serving there. My thoughts and prayers go out to these troops families as well as the families of all our sons and daughters serving our nation. God Bless.

Sunday, Jun 21 at 7:10 AM Anonymous wrote ...

My prayers are with these families!!!

Sunday, Jun 21 at 6:55 AM Kathy Herpin wrote ...

My heart brakes to hear of the death of our men. My thoughts and prayers goes out to the families and the friends of these brave men whom were protecting us all.

Sunday, Jun 21 at 5:10 AM ANG wife and mother wrote ...

They paid the ultimate price for this country. Our military servicemen and servicewomen is what makes this nation great. YOU are the heroes. May you rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your families. My husband is retired from the 182nd and my son currently serves in the 182nd.

Saturday, Jun 20 at 11:09 PM ME wrote ...

VERY SAD TO READ ABOUT THIS. YOU GUYS ARE TRUE HEROES. YOUR FAMILIES ARE IN OUR PRAYERS.

Saturday, Jun 20 at 9:36 PM Military Wife wrote ...

My husband is with the 182nd. They really are heros. Prayers for all our soldiers!

Saturday, Jun 20 at 9:10 PM MM ANG wife wrote ...

My thoughts and prayers are with both families and with their fellow soliers. God Bless you!! They are heros to all of us! My husband is with the 182nd.

Saturday, Jun 20 at 8:39 PM Mike Nussbaum wrote ...

My thoughts and prayers are with their families. Our son John is there serving with the 33Rd. They are real heroes.

Saturday, Jun 20 at 8:16 PM true heros wrote ...

He is a true hero this was his third deployment. Prayers to both of their families.

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