FORT LEWIS, Wash. -- Grieving troops filled a chapel to honor a Stryker soldier killed on Saturday in Iraq.

Jason Lemke, 30, was killed when an explosive device hit his vehicle.

Comrades called Lemke one of the kindest and smartest solders they knew. His commander choked back tears in his tribute to the corporal.

"I'm saddened by Jason's death. He was a family man and a friend," said Cmdr. Christopher Moro.

"When I was wounded Lemke joked and helped me until he had to be evacuated," said Christopher Bagwell.

Jennifer Wagner knew Lemke through the language school they attended together, where Lemke studied Arabic.

Understanding Arabic in Iraq helped the Wisconsin native befriend locals who were surprised to hear him speak in the native tongue.

On Wednesday, Wagner carried one yellow rose for each year of their friendship.

"He was always there for me and I wanted to be here for him," she said. "You talk to him and realize you didn't get to say all that you want to say."

Lemke's father tried to persuade his son not to enlist but after his divorce, Lemke signed up. His grandparents and uncles had served; military service was in his blood.

For his bravery, Lemke was posthumously promoted from private first class to corporal. He is the 34th soldier from his Stryker brigade to be killed in Iraq since their deployment in April.