First Lt. Jason Timmerman of Green Valley, Minn., was on patrol with his Minnesota Guard unit in Baghdad when a bomb detonated on Feb. 21, 2005. Timmerman, Staff Sgt. David Day and Sgt. Jesse Lhotka were carrying a wounded soldier from the scene when a second bomb detonated. All three were killed. It's been three years now, but for Pat Timmerman, Jason's mother, stories about her son remain vivid. She returns often to a favorite Bible verse. "'There is no greater love than this, to lay down one's life for your friends'... and that is exactly what Jason was doing the day that God took him. ... Jason took responsibility. That was a priority in his life, and that's what he was doing the day that [he] and Jesse and David were killed. I have to say that if he had to choose it again, I honestly believe that Jason would do what he did that day ... helping his brothers." HEAR THEIR STORIES AT STARTRIBUNE.COM

Almost every day, a son or daughter is killed serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Among Minnesotans serving in those wars, more than 70 have died. In this occasional series, we will invite mothers who have lost a child in these conflicts to tell their stories in their own words. To hear Pat Timmerman's story, go to startribune.com/slideshows. If you have comments or suggestions regarding this series, please contact David Denney at ddenney@startribune.com.