The families say both men wanted to serve their country and fight to defend it. Staff Sergeant Joseph Goodrich and Lance Corporal Ryan Kovacicek died on Sunday.

According to the Department of Defense they were killed by enemy indirect fire in Hit, Iraq. Both served out of Moundsvilles reserve marine base.

The commanding officer there says both men were excellent marines and the base is suffering a loss along with the families.

"We've handled as good as can be expected, along with the families. One of the things I shared with the families is --I know maybe not to the degree of the families-- but we also suffered a loss," said Capt. Jeremy Dempsey.

Only two days before his death Staff Sergeant Goodrich sent his wife an email explaining his feelings for fallen soldiers and why he enlisted saying: "They sacrificed and gave to me something that I could never repay; freedom."

His family says serving was a true honor to Staff Sergeant Goodrich.

Captain Dempsey says both men are heroes. At this time Captain Dempsey is in contact with the family of Lance Corporal Kovacicek on arranging the funeral.