Family, friends and fellow Marines packed into a Stafford County church Friday to remember First Lieutenant Jason Mann, who was killed last week in Afghanistan.

The 29-year-old joined the Marines as soon as he was old enough, rising to become an officer.

"This is obviously the ultimate sacrifice that he could give to his family and his friends," said his cousin, Louis Greco. "He will be deeply missed."

Mann was killed when the roof of a building collapsed on him. It was his second deployment overseas in two years. Prior to Afghanistan, he served in Iraq (web|news) for nearly a year.

Majors Jason Arthaud and Jody Edward White served in Ramadi, Iraq, with Lieutenant Man. They only learned of his death hours before the funeral.

"He was just an inspiring Marine that everybody loved to be around," said Maj. Arthaud.

"It's an absolute shame, an absolute shame," observed Maj. White. "He should be remembered as a great father first, and as a great Marine, and a great friend."

Lt. Mann grew up in Bergen County, New Jersey. He lived with his wife in northern Virginia. She's stationed at Fort Belvoir.

"He was was an American hero," said family friend John Smigle. "There's not enough of them around."

Email To A Friend