May 10, 2004 -- The Iraq War arrived at the doorstep of a Canutillo home. The Rubalcava family learned their daughter died while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom

Maria Rubalcava- Mother, "I never thought they were going to tell us she was dead. I figured she was hurt... something else... but not dead."

Ramon Rubalcava- Father, "I feel like a part of me is gone, I feel devastated... helpless."

In memory of 25 year old Isela Rubalcava, neighbors placed American flags in front of all the homes in their street.

Tony Ponzio- Neighbor, "It's a loss, a tragic, the family is a close net. I hope that through everybody bonding we make it easier for the family."

Sgt. Rubalcava died on Saturday in Mosul, Iraq. The Department of Defense reported she was killed when a mortar round hit near her.

Isela grew up in this small neighborhood in Canutillo where most neighbors are as close as family because they've known her since she was a little girl. That's the reason why her death has touched them all.

Mickey Sandoval- Neighbor, "She was always a happy active little girl, very generous, willing to help anybody."

And it was that characteristic, her parents, say that drove her to serve her country. Even though, they worried about her, they were always proud of her and they will eventually accept that their daughter died for her country.

Ramon, "Death is a part of life...it's always been there. It was just our turn..."

Her family was planning a party for the end of July, she was scheduled for leave around that time.

She was part of the 296th Combat Support Battalion out of Fort Lewis Washington.

In her four years in service she spend a year in Korea. She had been in Iraq for about 7 months. She wanted to continue her education in criminal justice.

She was a 1996 Canutillo graduate and a UTEP student.