SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A Utah County family is grieving the loss of a son, a brother, a new husband and a stepfather who died in Afghanistan last week.
On Monday, the United States Department Defense confirmed that 30-year-old Pfc. Kimble Han was killed.
It seemed as though the whole Saratoga Springs community turned out to honor Han on Monday afternoon.
Almost 30 American flags were placed on front lawn of Kimble’s mother Lisa Barnes, along with yellow ribbons, all placed there by members of her LDS ward.
Family members spoke to ABC 4 Monday afternoon, saying they want to give Han the recognition and honor he deserves.
Kimble Han was killed last Friday morning when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. Family members say he was working as a combat engineer in Afghanistan.
“They cleared the mines, they cleared the roads for the soldiers to go through so they were the front line of anything there,” said Lisa Barnes.
Just days after Han’s death, family and friends are calling him a hero.
“He gave up his all for all of us. It wasn't just for friends and family, but for strangers and anyone who needed him to,” said Lisa Barnes.
Han was deeply devoted to his family, and looked forward to his life with a new wife and three stepsons.
Most of his family members say Kimble was never scared of anything, but his mother says she could sense the danger just a week before he was killed.
“We didn't hear fear in his voice till about a week ago when I talked to him and he said the bombs were getting bigger and they were hiding them deeper and they weren't able to detect them, said Lisa.
Han enlisted in the army in January of 2008. He had spent about three months in Iraq before his unit was sent to Afghanistan. His family last spoke to him a week ago.
“I remember I kept saying to him ‘be careful be safe, be careful be safe,’ and then I said, ‘be safe,’ and then we got cut off and I thought I didn't get to tell him, ‘I love you,’ He needs to call me back and he didn't call me back, said Barnes.
Han's family says even tough they are grieving the loss of their loved one; they know he died doing what he loved.
“That's really what he was about, was giving and making people's lives better,” said Paul Barnes, Kimble’s step father.
Han was able to spend five days at home with his family back in August. He leaves behind a wife and three step sons.
Han's memorial service and funeral will be held this Saturday.
