Soldier from Festus dies in Iraq

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis-area town of Festus is mourning the loss of a 22-year-old native who was killed in Iraq.

Andy Habsieger was among four soldiers whose death on Sunday brought the American death toll in Iraq to 4,000. The four were killed by a bomb that exploded near Baghdad.

Friend Amy Edwards described Habsieger as fun-loving and happy, always smiling. She says he knew the dangers of his duty but wanted to serve his country. He joined the Army and was sent to Iraq last fall.

Habsieger was due to take leave and return home in two weeks.

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Information from: Ann Rubin/KSDK-TV, http://www.ksdk.com