May 31, 2009 5:33 pm US/Central
A Fallen Soldier's Mother Continues His Work
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Joshua Harris and his mother Mille Harris-Hickey
CBS 2/CBS
A unit of the Illinois National guard comes home Monday, but sadly, Sgt. Joshua Harris, won't be among them. He, along with a fellow reservist from Chicago, were killed while serving in Afghanistan.
But Sgt. Harris' mother will be there to welcome the soldiers when they return. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot has her inspiring story.
"I don't know how I would have made it through a lot of this without them," said Sergeant Joshua Harris' mother Mille Harris-Hickey.
Harris-Hickey spoke about the tremendous support she's received from Bravo 2nd Battalion, 122 Field Artillery, after Joshua Harris' death.
With that in mind, Harris-Hickey says she will be greeting each of her son's fellow reservists when they come home June 1.
"Before he left, he told me, 'Mom, you have 45 other sons,' so I want all of the guys home and I want to be there to welcome them home," Harris-Hickey said.
It was nearly a year ago that Sgt. Harris of the Illinois National Guard left the Crestwood Armory in Robbins for Afghanistan. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot spoke to Sgt. Harris before his deployment.
"Just serving gives something back to the people, the government, the nation," Harris said on June 14, 2008. "It's just something that everyone should do as a proud American."
About three weeks after he talked with CBS 2, Sgt. Harris was killed. He, along with staff Sgt. Jason Vasquez of Chicago, died when their vehicle rolled over a roadside bomb. After Sgt. Harris' death, his mother became very involved in his unit. She joined the family readiness group and she keeps up with the humanitarian missions started by her son.
"They gave out the school supplies that Josh wanted everyone to gather up and donate to the kids out in Afghanistan," Harris-Hickey said.
The Gold Star mother has also created a patriotic garden in her son's memory. She says through the pain of losing her son, she's gained something else.
"It's true what they say, once you're in the service, you are family – I felt it," Harris-Hickey said.
As part of the family readiness group, Sgt. Harris' mother is planning a party with the Illinois National Guard. The bash will take place in July to officially welcome home the second battalion 122nd Field Artillery, home.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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