A Houston area soldier makes the ultimate sacrifice for his country.
Staff Sergeant Jesse Infante died following an IED attack in Afghanistan.
Staff Sergeant Infante was one of five soldiers who died Monday.
A year after graduating high school he enlisted in the military and served for 10 years.
He had only been in Afghanistan for a month when he was killed.
39 News spoke with his parents Wednesday, who are obviously devastated by his loss, but they tell me they are comforted in knowing how much he loved his job.
"He wanted to be a soldier," his father Jesus Infante said.
Thinking back, Jesus and his wife Nancy said from the time Jesse was a young boy he always talked about being a soldier.
"I guess because his grandpa was a soldier that's why - my dad he was in the army too - Mexico," Jesus said.
Throughout his service, the 30-year-old accumulated more than a dozen awards for service and conduct.
His parents said he was an expert in explosives.
In 2005 he served in Iraq for a year.
In July, before setting out on this final mission, Jesse returned home to visit.
"We went to our family reunion and all that - I didn't want him to go," Jesus said.
For some reason, his parents say, they were more worried about Jesse and the dangerous job this time around.
In fact, Jesus said he tried to convince his son to get out of the military.
"Then I changed my mind because I wanted him to do whatever he loves," he said.
Then late Monday night, they got the news that no military parent ever wants to hear.
Jesus was told that Jesse and four other soldiers had been heading out to an emergency call when insurgents attacked their unit with explosives.
"Those soldiers out there that are in danger just pray for everybody out there - all the soldiers," Nancy said.
They say, knowing that their oldest son of 5 died doing what he loved, gives them some comfort and hopes he'll forever be remember for the great man that he was.
"To remember him, that he was a great father, a great son and great soldier," said Jesus. "A hero," Nancy said.
"We going to miss him a lot," Jesus said.
His parents were looking forward to November; they said Jesse has a son on the way and he was expected to come home for his birth.
Jesse Infante also leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Staff Sergeant Jesse Infante died following an IED attack in Afghanistan.
Staff Sergeant Infante was one of five soldiers who died Monday.
A year after graduating high school he enlisted in the military and served for 10 years.
He had only been in Afghanistan for a month when he was killed.
39 News spoke with his parents Wednesday, who are obviously devastated by his loss, but they tell me they are comforted in knowing how much he loved his job.
"He wanted to be a soldier," his father Jesus Infante said.
Thinking back, Jesus and his wife Nancy said from the time Jesse was a young boy he always talked about being a soldier.
"I guess because his grandpa was a soldier that's why - my dad he was in the army too - Mexico," Jesus said.
Throughout his service, the 30-year-old accumulated more than a dozen awards for service and conduct.
His parents said he was an expert in explosives.
In 2005 he served in Iraq for a year.
In July, before setting out on this final mission, Jesse returned home to visit.
"We went to our family reunion and all that - I didn't want him to go," Jesus said.
For some reason, his parents say, they were more worried about Jesse and the dangerous job this time around.
In fact, Jesus said he tried to convince his son to get out of the military.
"Then I changed my mind because I wanted him to do whatever he loves," he said.
Then late Monday night, they got the news that no military parent ever wants to hear.
Jesus was told that Jesse and four other soldiers had been heading out to an emergency call when insurgents attacked their unit with explosives.
"Those soldiers out there that are in danger just pray for everybody out there - all the soldiers," Nancy said.
They say, knowing that their oldest son of 5 died doing what he loved, gives them some comfort and hopes he'll forever be remember for the great man that he was.
"To remember him, that he was a great father, a great son and great soldier," said Jesus. "A hero," Nancy said.
"We going to miss him a lot," Jesus said.
His parents were looking forward to November; they said Jesse has a son on the way and he was expected to come home for his birth.
Jesse Infante also leaves behind a 5-year-old daughter.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
