BOISE — Army Sgt. Michael T. Lilly of Boise is remembered as a dedicated and loving family man who had fulfilled his longtime dream of serving his country.

Lilly, 23, died in combat in Iraq last week.

“From the time he was very small, Michael told me he wanted to be a soldier,” his mother Vicky Egbert said Wednesday. “One day he came to me, he was a young man, (and) told me he was going to be a soldier.”

The sergeant was in his second enlistment. Department of Defense officials confirmed that he died in Sadr City when enemy forces attacked with a rocket-propelled grenade.  The Borah High School graduate died April 7, and a monument at the school will be dedicated to his memory.

He had discussed a possible third enlistment with his father, John Lilly, before his death.

Michael’s mother sat between his widow, Miseda Lilly, and father as they shared details of his life with reporters Wednesday, calling him a loving man with a heart full of kindness and dedication to his country.

“That was one of his dreams, just to defend his country,” Miseda said.

Spurred to join the armed forces by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Michael was proud to defend the freedoms of Americans and his family in Boise.

While her husband was overseas, even though Miseda was scared for him, she “supported him 100 percent.” The couple tried to talk at least once a week, sometimes every other day. Michael also leaves behind a teenage brother who his mother said looked up to him his whole life.

“He still does,” John added.

“Michael loved the United States. He supported the President, the Department of Defense ... Michael was a hero,” his father said. “We hope people remember that and (that) he cared about their freedom” and the freedom of the Iraqi people.

The 23-year-old was an active-duty soldier assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment in Vilseck Germany. A man also killed in the attack, Army Spc. Jason C. Kazarick, 30, of Oakmont, Pa., served in the same unit.

Michael’s service, while important to him, was hard on his mother emotionally.

“Every day I’d wake up and I’d pray for his safety,” she said. “Every day I’d hear about a fallen soldier, I’d pray it wasn’t him.”

It was the dedication and love that he learned as a civilian that his family believes made him a great soldier.

“The very things we knew and loved Michael for here as a civilian ... are also the things that made him the soldier he was,” Vicky said. “He was true to himself” and that served him well.

Since the moment the family was notified of Michael’s death, they say the outpouring of support in the  area has been overwhelming. People they don’t know often offer condolences.

“Everywhere we turn there’s been love and kindness,” Vicky said, “We’re thankful for that.”