Kim Smith and her two children spoke with her husband Sergeant Paul Smith just last Thursday. Kim says she knew he would go on a mission the following day- still they had a fairly normal Friday.

"And we came home, and I was resting and Sarah said, mom there's two soldiers at the door, I though "Oh come on, you're kidding me"said, Kim Smith.

The soldiers delivered devastating news to the family. "Friday an improvised explosive device hit the vehicle that Sergeant Smith was traveling in and killed him and another Illinois Army National Guard", said Illinois National Guard Spokeswoman, Lieutenant Stacey Rieger.

Sergeant Smith enlisted in the Army in 1993, and after 13 years of active duty, he retired and moved his family back to East Peoria.
That same year he joined the Illinois Army National Guard. Last year he volunteered to go to Afghanistan.

"Paul told me the good stuff that they did over there and what the people loved about us, and that we were there", said his widow.

The family says they spoke with Sergeant Smith almost daily, particularly about his pet project, the pond he and his son Ben build while he was home on leave last month.

"He wants to see pictures of the pond so I have to be out there day and night", said Ben.

There has also be an out pour of support in their East Peoria neighborhood. Janet Binegar says she has fond memories of Smith, even two and a half years ago when she moved in next door.

"That whole winter he cleared my drive. Every time it was bad, he cleared it that whole winter for me", said the neighbor.

Lt. Rieger said, "He didn't want to seek the Glory and the fame as his wife said and as his children said he was a hero. He wanted to be there and do his part for his country".

And they say he made the ultimate sacrifice. He laid down his life.

The other Illinois solider killed on Friday was identified as twenty-six-year-old Staff Sgt. Joshua Melton was from Germantown in Clinton County. He is survived by his wife and 16 month old daughter.