Family Grieves For Fallen Marine

SEEKONK, Mass. -- The family of Lance Cpl. Eric Valdepenas is in mourning after the Marine was killed in Iraq just weeks before his unit was scheduled to come home.

NewsCenter 5's Amalia Barreda reported that instead of instead of celebrating his birthday on Wednesday, Jesus Bernal Valdepenas is mourning the death of his eighth and youngest child.

"I miss my son. I'm going to miss all the things he told me. 'Dad, you're going to be proud of me,'" he said.

The Valdepenas family of Seekonk said they were speaking publicly to share their memories. The family displayed mementos of the Marine's life on two tables. Eric Valdepenas was scheduled to come home from Iraq in October.

The Valdepenas family learned on Monday that the 21-year-old was killed when a roadside bomb struck his combat vehicle in Fallujah.

"Eric was a very loving, kind, sensitive young man. A loyal friend. And one thing I want to make sure you know was his motto -- 'Jesus in my heart forever,'" said the Marine's mother, Anne Marie Valdepenas.

The family priest described Valdepenas as a model son, good student, star athlete who was a co-captain of the Bishop Hendicken High School lacrosse team that won a state championship when he was a junior.

"We will always miss him dearly. And we'll always remember him for what he sacrificed for him and his country," said sister Teresa Valdepenas.

The family said they were not prepared to answer questions about him going to Iraq. But his oldest sister, who said she was a Quaker educator who advocates for peace, made her beliefs clear.

"I believe that the US government's orders for military presence in Iraq is oppressive and unjust. As a sister who has always supported her youngest brother unconditionally in everything he has done, I know that this loss tears at the fabric of my being," said Marie Drury. "He was led by a strong sense of honor, duty and courage to his family and God above all."