Michigan family remembering army sergeant killed in Afghanistan

FLINT, Mich. -- A Flint, Michigan family is mourning the loss of a hometown hero.

Army Sergeant Joseph Lilly died while serving his country in Afghanistan.

Sergeant Lilly was injured in combat and died two days later from his injuries. He was a combat engineer who went ahead of other troops to look for explosives.

He graduated from a Flint area high school and joined the army in 2005. His father, uncle and two grandfathers had also served in the military.

"For his love of family and his country. And he wanted to keep us all safe," said his aunt, Martha Hicks-Alexander.

Sergeant Lilly leaves behind his family in mid-Michigan, and a wife and 3-year-old son who live in Washington State.