What started off as a peaceful day of gardening quickly turned tragic for the Flores family when they saw two soldiers walking up their drive way.

"First things out my mouth were, not my son, but I already knew and my heart fell apart at that point, says Wilfred Jr.'s mother Vicky Flores. There are moments where I just start crying, says Wilfred Jr.'s sister Theresa Siegrist.

    In 2004, Wlfred Flores Junior joined the army and was quickly deployed to Iraq, he was only eighteen years old .That decision didn't come as a surprise to his parents, he was just following in their footsteps, both are retired officers

"We were proud of him for joining the army because it was his life long dream, says WIlfred Flores Sr.
 

 Wilfred was a 10Th Mountain Infantry gunner stationed at Fort Drum, New York. During his last mission Saturday he swapped jobs with another soldier and took control of the wheel of their Hum-vee. That day their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb. A sergeant was also killed, the soldier he swapped jobs with is still in the hospital.

" I would personally like to talk to him and tell him that it's OK. He shouldn't feel guilty for swapping places with my son, Vicky says.
    

    Despite the fact that Wilfred Jr. Was just days away from becoming an adult., the Flores family have no doubt in their mind their son was a hero.

" He was a soldier, he believed in being a soldier, that alone would make any parent proud, says Wilfred Sr.

Since Wilfred Jr. Wanted to continue his education after the military. His family has set up a scholorship fund with Cameron University's Agriculture Department. In lue of flowers they ask that you donate to that fund. Wilfred's funeral is expected to be held on April 15Th. The service will be held at Fort Sill and is open to the public.