Kristofer Walker and George Obourn Jr., both 20,

Kristofer Walker and George Obourn Jr., both 20, were almost inseparable. As high school students, their friendship revolved around marching band, playing video games together and eating at Monical's Pizza, up the street from East Peoria High School.

Together they acted on their dream of joining the Army as Cavalry Scouts, wanting to do their part after Sept. 11. Out of school they entered a "buddy" system that would keep them together for a year through basic training. In Iraq they served in the same squadron.

Their lives together ended on Oct. 2, when Walker was killed after his Humvee hit a roadside bomb in Taji, near Baghdad. Two days later, Obourn followed his friend, killed while clearing a building of insurgents in the same town.

This weekend, Creve Coeur will bury the two young soldiers: Walker on Friday and Obourn on Saturday. News of the buddies' double death ....