CLEVELAND -- As Iraqis rejoice in the streets of Baghdad, it's bittersweet for families who have lost loved ones in the Persian Gulf.

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Sloan, Dowdy Among Dead Local Soldiers Among Dead

Master Sgt. Robert Dowdy (pictured, left), 38, and Pvt. Brandon Sloan (pictured, far left), 19, were both killed after Iraqi soldiers ambushed the 507th Maintenance Company after it made a wrong turn.

Dowdy grew up in a Cleveland neighborhood and attended South High School.

Sloan played football at Bedford High School, and loved ones said he was well-liked and had a lot of good friends. He later withdrew from school to pursue a military career because he said he wanted to serve his country.

Services for Sloan are set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Cleveland's Historic Greater Friendship Baptist Church. Sloan's father, the Rev. Tandy Sloan, is the associate pastor there and said he is trusting in God to help him cope with the death of his son.

In all, 96 American men and women have been killed. Eight soldiers and Marines are missing, and seven are now prisoners of war.