By ABC-7's Marissa Monroy

A widow at just 21 years of age, Magen Mills lost her husband to Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sergeant Josh Mills of El Paso was killed on September 15, when a roadside bomb exploded during his second tour of Afghanistan.

"He had so many dreams," Magen Mills' said. "He was always talking about what he wanted to do."

Magen Mills said what her husband wanted to do more than anything was protect his country.

The Silva Magnet graduate was a member of the high school's prestigious ROTC club, before joining the military.  After just two years of training, Josh Mills joined the ranks of the U.S. Army Green Beret.

"He loved his job. He did it with a great passion," Magen Mills' said. "That's what made me fall in love with him...right away!"

While Magen said the time with her husband will never be enough, she's grateful he left behind a piece of himself.

"It hurts to know that we only had three years together, but it was wonderful because we did so much. You know, I have my son now."

Little Malaki Mills will turn a year old next week.  It's a milestone his father will never get to experience.

But thanks to the memories of his family members, they said they will never let him forget about the American hero that was his father.

"I will tell Malaki that he was a wonderful person and he lived his life and he enjoyed it," Magen Mills' said.