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Jul 8, 2007 6:24 pm US/Central
Local Soldier Dies in Iraq; A Family Remembers
by Joanie Lum
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
A local soldier serving in Iraq has been killed on duty. Sunday evening, the family shared memories of Eric Lill with CBS 2's Joanie Lum.
Eric Lill's grandmother sits outside his Bridgeport house, decorated with yellow ribbons since he went in the service. She lives across the street from her oldest grandson, also her best buddy.
"He was warm, generous loving, "said Marlene Alvarado, Lill's grandmother.
Even when Lill went to Iraq, he was able to telephone his grandmother every Saturday.
"He wanted to fight for the country," Alvarado said. "He left February 12, 2002. I'm mad. I think it's senseless innocent people are getting killed."
Eric Lill was serving a second tour in Iraq. He re-enlisted to support his six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter who live with their mother downstate.
Lill's house is a few doors down from a World War II Memorial Victory garden, one of several memorials in Bridgeport. The Nardi family is proud to maintain it in honor of local soldiers.
"They go with freedom in their hearts and they serve and sacrifice the ultimate," said neighbor Sophie Nardi. "That's what's hard about the whole situation."
Ald. James Balcer (11th), who is a Vietnam veteran, visited the soldier's family.
"I want to support the troops and the families of men and women," Balcer said. "This is an example of people that serve from our community."
The family says Lill was due to be discharged in January and had hoped to serve and protect at home by becoming a police officer. Lill's parents live in Tennessee but his funeral will in Chicago.
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