Desert Crone

KVOA TV 4, TUCSON - 

Veterans Day took a whole new meaning for a Tucson family this year.

Army Sergeant First Class Todd Harris was killed in Afghanistan on November 3rd. It was his 4th tour of duty.

For Veterans Day Harris' mother agreed to talk publicly for the first time since her son's death.

Todd Harris was a young man turned football star, turned father and eventually he turned into one heck of a soldier. Through it all his family said he never went without two things, his smile and sense of humor.

Stephanie Meaza, Harris' Aunt said, "He had an infectious smile. Always smiling."

Diane Adams, Harris' mother said, "He smiled and laughed a lot. That's what people were always telling me that they remember his laugh. He had a good laugh. Had a good laugh."

But while defending his country the laughter came to a stop. Adams, a reservist herself, said she couldn't be prouder because she knows her son died doing what he wanted to do.

Adams said, "He enjoyed the army. He loved it. He had said just last month that his kids were his heroes and the reason he did what he did and the reason he had no fear at doing what he did."

Now, still grieving his loss as the letters of condolences continue to poor in Veterans Day took on a new meaning for a family already full of military history.

Adams said, "This time of year will always be a focus for me because he died on November 3rd just 8 days prior to Veterans Day."

Meaza added, "We live our lives every day and we don't realize what those guys are sacrificing for us. That's renewed for me and Veterans Day for me will be special. Even more special."