Illinois man among Ft. Hood victims

BOLINGBROOK, Ill. (AP) - A yellow ribbon is tied to a porch light. Red, white and blue bunting hangs from the wooden porch. And a sticker stamped with American flags on the front door reads, "United we stand."

Inside the suburban Chicago home on Friday, the mother and father of one of 13 people killed in a shooting rampage at Fort Hood in Texas are grieving for their son.

Sheryll Pearson told the Chicago Tribune they learned Thursday that their son, Pfc. Michael Pearson, had been killed. The family of the 21-year-old Bolingbrook man did not step outside to speak with reporters Friday.

But neighbor Jessica Koerber said the family has "lost their gem." She says Michael loved playing with his nieces and nephews and enjoyed playing guitar. She calls him "a great kid."