Weakley County Press -- A 24-year-old Martin man serving with the Tennessee National Guard 913th Engineer Company located in Union City was killed in action in Iraq on Tuesday.

According to a family member, United States Army National Guard Specialist Dustin Laird was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

Laird graduated in 2001 from Westview High School. He was deployed with his unit last September, but returned home in May for his brother Derek's graduation from Westview.

During his leave, he visited with students at Caroline Coleman's fourth-grade class at Ridgemont Elementary School in Obion County. The children had been writing letters to Laird while he was serving in Iraq and he dropped in on the students for a surprise visit.

Laird's classroom visit eased the minds of the young students who had various questions about the war and Laird's role as a soldier. During his time with the class, he responded to questions varying from how to disassemble a "nuclear bomb" to how he managed to take a shower in the desert.

Laird patiently answered the children's questions and, when asked what was the worst part of the war, he replied simply, "missing home."

He also told the students that he was proud of the work that he was doing for his country, commenting on the flag that appeared on the right shoulder of his uniform.

"The flag is representative of how the United States is constantly moving forward and never in a state of retreat," Laird said during an interview. "I feel proud to be a part of that."

Details of the fatal incident are still sketchy, and an official announcement had not been released at press time. According to family members, they were told Laird was killed by a roadside bomb that exploded under the truck he was driving.

His father, Billy Laird of Martin, was notified early Wednesday morning about his son. He is survived by his mother, Linda, a sister, Heather Hale, and two brothers, Billy Jr. and Derek.

"He always gave me a hug," family friend Wanda Tyler said. "He always had a smile on his face."

Laird's remains will be transferred to Dover, Del. Funeral arrangments will be announced at a later time.