Ybor City, Florida -- He was the love of her life-her rock. And now Sarah Sitton's life will never by the same. Everything changed last week when Army personnel turned up at her door.

"I think just the thing that plays over and over in my mind is the second he said 'regret'", Sarah Sitton told news reporters gathered at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Sarah Sitton's mother Sandra Castle works for the sheriff's office in the records department and that's why Sarah chose that venue to speak with the media on Wednesday afternoon.

Staff Sgt. Matt Sitton, 26, was killed by a bomb in Afghanistan on Aug. 2. His wife Sarah wants everyone to know how much he was loved. His dog tags hang around her neck. 

"So this is just me keeping him close to my heart," she says fingering the silver tags.

Matt was just weeks away from safety; he was due back next month and anxious to see his 9-month-old son. 

"Our last conversation on Skype was all about how excited he was about coming home and seeing Brodey," says Sarah.

Sarah says she can't be mad at the military. She's very patriotic and the couple was married on the Fourth of July. She says Matt also loved his country and his calling. 

"He loved being a Ranger and infantry was just his thing. He was born for it," she says with a smile, recalling how easily the athletic Matt passed any required test.

Sarah greeted Matt's casket at Dover Air Force Base over the weekend and the soldier's remains will likely be flown to Tampa later this week. At that time, a procession will weave through both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and Sarah would appreciate people turning out to show their support, for what she calls, "an American hero".

Once procession plans are finalized, 10 News will post the day, time and route.