ONEIDA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Vicky Arnold, the mother of fallen Marine Lance Corporal Jeremy Lasher, called the family's loss "a nightmare."

Lasher was killed along with a fellow Marine from Massachusetts in Afghanistan on July 23rd, while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Arnold and Lasher's stepfather, Scott, declined an on-camera interview, but tells NEWSChannel 2 they are devastated - yet trying to stay strong.

Lasher's younger brother Ryan, also a Lance Corporal in the Marines, says the toughest thing for him has been trying to keep the family strong for his brother's wife, Andrea, and young son, Caden.

Jeremy Lasher married his wife in 2006 just before he signed his Marine Corps papers said Ryan Lasher.

He went on to say that his brother was a dedicated family man who shared a love with his wife "few could dream of."

Aside from family, Jeremy Lasher had a passion for landscaping, drawing, musical instruments and his favorite football team, the New York Giants. He was also a firefighter in Verona.

Lasher's family, including his father, Gary, and step-brothers and sister had not gathered as of midday Monday, but are expected to do so.

Funeral arrangements have not been finalized. Griffiss International Airport Commissioner Vernon Gray says he expects Lasher's remains to be flown back into the Mohawk Valley by week's end.

He is the third local serviceman to be killed in action in Afghanistan this year alone and the tenth serviceman from our area to die in the line of duty since 2003.

Jeremy Lasher's mother said that her son was due to return home in November.