“I was hoping it was that someone broke into the house, or that the house had burned down, anything but this,” Martha said. “But the first thing that came to mind was ‘It’s my Eddy.’

On Sunday, she said steady waves of visits and phone calls have kept Eddy’s death almost surreal.

It’s still a dream,” Alex said.

Family reminisced about energetic games of flag football and paintball. They talked of a young man with a sweet tooth who requested care packages of Gummi Bears and Twizzlers. Other things he missed while overseas included family, his dogs Bubbles and Killer, and his mom’s homemade meals of stuffed peppers and enchiladas.

Those who knew Eddy best remember a young man who accepted and embraced his job in the military even though he did not agree with the country’s presence in Iraq, Alex said.

Outgoing, talkative and helpful best described him, Alex said. He was the kind of guy who would reach out to as many people as possible during his brief trips home. His goddaughter, 9-year-old Alexis Chavez, fondly remembers their “dates” to Luigi’s restaurant and Odyssey Fun World.

And when away, no matter how hectic his schedule, Eddy found time to call home regularly. The last time was Oct. 15.

“I want to hear that ring. I really do,” his mom said Sunday.

Lopez was playful and never failed to get a laugh out of Alex. In a recent conversation, the big brother reiterated that he wanted Alex to stick with college. Upon his death, family discovered that the 21-year-old had left money in his will for his goddaughter’s college fund.

His fascination with the military started in childhood. He had a keen interest in guns, tanks and war movies, of which “Black Hawk Down” and “Saving Private Ryan” were his favorites.

When he enlisted in the spring of 2004, Lopez had an idea of what Marine life would be like. But he was surprised sometimes, Martha said.

He was not expecting the very early-morning hours his job demanded, not to mention the highly cerebral part of the job that required ongoing training and classes. But no matter what, he wore his uniform proudly and enjoyed the challenge of his assignments, his mother said.

Shortly after Lopez enlisted, he met fellow Marine Lance Cpl. Maximino Gorostieta, of Roselle, in boot camp in San Diego. Even though the two were shipped off to different destinations, they remained friends.

Gorostieta, who is home briefly after a stint in Japan, said he will remember Lopez as a genuine, caring person who stayed true to his word.

Whenever he was home, he would visit my mom,” the 22-year-old said. “It felt great because at least I knew someone was seeing her. Most of my friends at home don’t visit her, so it was really nice that he did.”

News of Lopez’s death hit very close to home for Gorostieta.

It does hurt. I know our lives aren’t guaranteed when you go out there, but this hit hard,” he said.

Lopez was first deployed to Afghanistan for nine months before returning to Aurora for a few weeks in August.

During his trip home, he got his newest tattoo: a cross below the phrase “All those I love.” The symbol reflected his deep religious beliefs that stemmed from his involvement in St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Aurora.

hen he left for Iraq in early September, something felt different and a little more somber, Martha said.

He hugged me so hard and gave me a real sweet kiss I’ll never forget,” she said.

Lopez’s death comes in one of the deadliest months for U.S. troops in Iraq, with more than 80 U.S. troops killed. He is among at least 2,791 members of the U.S. military who have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.

Lopez is the second man from Aurora to be killed in Iraq. Marine Lance Cpl. Hector Ramos, 20, died in a helicopter crash in January 2005. Both Lopez and Ramos were 2003 graduates of East Aurora High School.