Curtiss' mother Ruth Serrano clutches photos of her son and his family; at left, Army Staff Sgt. Kurt Curtiss, wife Elizabeth, son Joshua and daughter Cecilia, from September 2006. At right, a photo of Serrano and Army Staff Sgt. Kurt Curtiss. South Ogden native, Army Staff Sgt. Kurt Curtiss was on a recovery mission at a hospital with his unit when he was caught in crossfire and killed. (Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune)