LOWELL, Mass. -- The fighting in Iraq has claimed the life of another Massachusetts soldier.

Pfc. John Landry, Jr., 20, of Lowell, was killed on Saturday near Baghdad.

"It’s tough. He was a young kid," Landry's uncle, James Landry, said.

The military notified his younger sister about his death. His parents were on vacation in Florida at the time.

Rep. Marty Meehan said that Landry was one of 14 soldiers killed on Saturday by a bomb explosion.

"Our hearts go out to the family but also as a community. We are a tight-knit community in the greater Lowell area, and this, obviously, is devastating news," Meehan said.

Landry was a linebacker on the Lowell Catholic High School football team. He graduated in 2005. The flag was lowered to half-staff in memory of Landry.

Grief counselors were on hand to talk to students.

"John was a tenacious athlete a hard-working student and a great citizens both in the confines of the school and in the greater community. John's great sense of humor left his classmates and teachers laughing," the school said in a statement.

It was Landry's first tour of duty in Iraq. The soldier was home nine days ago.

"He wanted to get back for his buddies. He died a hero. He paid the ultimate price," James Landry said.

"He loved his family. He loved his classmates. He loved his school. He loved his country. He always wanted to be in the military," said Mariellen DeMarco, of Lowell Catholic High School. "He was very proud of that."

"It's a terrible feeling, and it makes me feel more strongly than I already feel (that) we have to get out of Iraq," Meehan said.

He served with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, in the 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas.