TERRELL — Angels flew above the American flags that lined State Highway 80 on Wednesday, symbols of joy and sorrow.

Hundreds waited under the Christmas decorations and flags to honor Army Spc. Joseph “Joe” Michael Lewis, the fifth Terrell soldier to die in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2004.

Lewis, 26, died Nov. 17 in Afghanistan when his vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device, according to the Defense Department. It is the second time in two months that the small Kaufman County town has organized to honor a fallen soldier.

The Lion and Rotary clubs placed large flags running along State Highway 34 from the city’s edge about two miles to downtown. The flags then continued on Highway 80, Terrell’s main street.

Peter Tuohy walked up and down the street, handing out flags that he had bought to those waiting. He’s from Mesquite, but “I like Terrell,” he said. He said a few weeks ago he also gave out flags for the procession for Sgt. Shawn McNabb, 24, killed last month in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

“It’s a tiny contribution for a large contribution — the ultimate contribution,” Tuohy said.

As they waited, residents talked about kids, dogs and Thanksgiving. But they kept watch for the procession, stepping into the street to look east.

Mary Spears, standing with a group of American National Bank employees, seemed surprised when asked why she was there.

“Why am I here? The reason being to pay respect,” she said. “My dad was 30 years in the military and he always came home.”

On the street in front of Anderson Clayton Brothers Funeral Home, Terrell firefighters had parked their trucks and used the ladders to hoist a giant American flag over the street. Funeral home workers had been out early Wednesday pushing small American flags around the edge of the home’s lawn.

Unfortunately, for them it has become a sad routine. The funeral home has handled services for all five of the Terrell soldiers.

Sophia Anders said the services are hard, “but we’re so proud of them.”

The family has declined interview requests.

At about 1 p.m., police and fire trucks blocked the intersection and the procession came through. The Patriot Guards motorcycle club led the way, followed by a plain white hearse.

Two white limousines carrying family members followed and behind them 10 vehicles with friends. The Guard, Terrell police, a fire truck and an American Red Cross emergency truck brought up the rear.

Linda Britton showed up with a group of family members just before the procession passed by. They numbered at least 11, including five grandchildren ranging in age from five to 16.

“I think my grandchildren need to see this. I think they need to know,” she said. “They have privileges and they need to know someone died for them.”

Lewis was born in Dallas and graduated from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst and attended Trinity Valley Community College in Terrell. He finished basic training at Fort Knox in 2004 and served in Korea and at Fort Lewis in Washington state before going to Afghanistan.

A visitation is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, 301 W. Nash St.. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, 200 W. College St. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Garden in Terrell.

Lewis is survived by his wife, Teresa Lewis, and infant daughter, Abiageal, his parents, grandparents and a sister. The family has asked that memorials be sent to a trust fund for Abiageal at American National Bank, PO Box 40, Terrell, Texas, 75160.

Other Terrell troops killed since 2004 include Army Sgt. Gerardo Moreno, 23, who was killed April 6, 2004, in a rocket-propelled grenade attack near Ashula; Sgt. Sean Brady Berry, who died in October 2005 in Iraq; and Spc. Jonathan David Arthur “J.D.” Emard, 20, who died of combat wounds in Tikrit, Iraq, in June 2008.