Soldier Was Determined to Serve

He lived with her during his last six months of school at Cibola High in Yuma, she said. He was an avid musician who played drums in the school band and aspired to teach high school band after the Army.

He also played in garage bands with friends, and sometimes they practiced in his bedroom.

"They were very loud," she said.

Brock said Crombie's death had made his two brothers, Dan Crombie, 23, and Jason Laybourn, 13, more aware of the importance of family.

"They have been proud of their brother and not mad at the world," she said.

Laybourn said her middle son's death motivated her older son, who manages a pizzeria, to go to college, where he may study medicine.

"He said it was nice having a brother who was so caring about other people," she said. "He said it was time to not think about himself -- it was time to think of others. Nick has given him the inspiration."

Laybourn said it was comforting to know her son had done exactly what he had aspired to do.

"Not many 19-year-old people can say they accomplished what they wanted to in life."

She paused for a moment.

Then, her voice breaking, she added: "I just miss him. I miss him so much."