The Highland Lakes communities are mourning two local fallen soldiers, both of them killed in action in Iraq last week.

The body of Army Specialist Jeffery Nichols will arrive at the Horseshoe Bay Airport on Wednesday. From there, he will be taken by a military escort, similar to the one that took place Sunday.

Between Granite Shoals and Kingsland, the American flags along RM1431, were lowered to half staff to honor Army Sgt. Mark Stone who was killed in Iraq on Monday. But the flags were not raised on Sunday after his body passed by. They remain as they are for yet another local soldier.

"I don’t know who to describe it, this community is so small, for this to happen so soon, and consecutive sessions of each other it is pretty tough right now," said Austin Stanphill, Granite Shoals fire chief.

Chief Stanphill, at first, thought it was all a mistake -- surely two young men from this area, being killed, was just too hard to believe. But Monday morning confirmation came in and the nightmare would continue.

Specialist Jeffery Nichols was killed Thursday when an IED exploded during patrol. His death is sad news even for older vets like Ronnie Wisdom, who served in Vietnam.

"It hurts every time I hear of one getting injured, especially killed, because it is just sad, that we lose our young people like this," said Wisdom.

Nichols attended Marble Falls High School and was on his second tour of duty.

He and Mark Stone had more in common than just the Highland Lakes. Both were part of 10th Mountain Division.

"Very sad, I feel so bad for the families," said Karen Haefs of Kingsland.

Don Maese, who also lives in Kingsland, agrees what has happened is a hard hit for the area.

"It is a horrible thing that many young people from this area, the Hill Country, for the war,” said Maese.

And as the war continues, the flags will stand at the ready, even after Jeffery Nichols passes by.

Funeral services for Jeffery Nichols are expected to take place this weekend, but have not yet been set.