Wate.com -- An East Tennessee soldier killed fighting in Iraq was remembered in his hometown this Memorial Day weekend.

Sgt. Alfred "Barton" Siler of Clairfield died Wednesday in a Humvee accident. Siler was a member of the 278th serving in Iraq.

The town of Jellico holds a Memorial Day observance every year, but the recent loss of Sgt. Siler made Saturday's service an emotional day for those who came, especially for Siler's family and his wife, Jenny.

There was music and presentation of flags and speeches, all thanking those who died while serving our country.

"It's overwhelming that they have so much love in this community to come out and support his family, his daughter," Mrs. Siler said. "It's just overwhelming. It's just awesome."

Supporters say they want three-year-old Mikkah to know her daddy was a good man.

"To me, when someone is committed to a potential combat zone, it takes an awful lot of courage on their part," said Jellico Mayor John Clifton. "And to me, they are heroic in the part they are there for our freedom and what they are doing is for us and our country. That's why I think he's a hero."

Mrs. Siler says her husband dedicated his time overseas to helping the children of Iraq. It was a mission he was passionate about.

"He talked numerous times about those kids and taking them food and talking about how hungry they were all the time. And said he just hopes his little girl eats all the time because they don't get much food over there."

Mrs. Siler knows there are still many soldier remaining overseas. She says her heart goes out to them and all of the families with loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"This memorial behind me has a number of a few hundred names of people in this area who have given their lives for our freedom and we could never thank them enough," said Jellico Tourism Director Jake Bennett.

Jenny Siler says she met her husband in the National Guard. She serves in the reserve unit in Corbin, Ky. while working as a sixth grade substitute teacher.

Flags around the area have been lowered to half staff to honor Sgt. Siler.

He was a 1989 graduate of Jellico High School.

Siler is the third soldier with the 278 Regimental Combat Team to die in the line of duty since the unit was deployed just before Christmas.