Chicago Sun-Times --A 22-year-old soldier from Evergreen Park was killed in Afghanistan this week in what's been the deadliest month so far for U.S. troops since 2001.

Spec. Jared D. Stanker was one of seven soldiers who died Tuesday after enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device, the Defense Department said Thursday. An eighth soldier was killed in a separate bombing Tuesday in southern Afghanistan.

It was Stanker's first deployment. He is survived by his parents and a sister.

"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing," Stanker wrote on his Facebook page.

He enlisted in 2006, shortly after graduating from Brother Rice High School. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

Evergreen Park Mayor Jim Sexton said Stanker is the first casualty for the village that has about 20 or 25 soldiers overseas.

"I'm lost for thoughts other than everybody here is praying for his family and for the rest of the troops out there keeping us safe," he said.