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Long Island Marine Among Those Killed When Afghan Police Officer Opened Fire On U.S. Troops

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island family that was waiting for their son to return home from Afghanistan must now plan a funeral.

Marina and Greg Buckley told CBS 2's Drew Levinson that their son, Lance Cpl. Greg Buckley, was everything to them.

"I gave birth to a beautiful boy, and now God has taken him away from me," said Marina.

Buckley had just turned 21. He was getting ready to return home on leave when he and five other U.S. service members were gunned down by an Afghan police officer.

The Buckley home in Oceanside has since become a place to comfort the grieving and remember a fallen Marine.

Buckley's family said that he enlisted in the Marine Corps to serve as an example to his brothers Shane and Justin.

"He just wanted to prove to them that you can do better, you can be somebody," said his cousin Stephen Cutino.

Thirty-four Americans have been killed by Afghan police officers and soldiers this year. Buckley's parents said that he feared that the same thing could happen to him.

"That's my son, I miss my son. I miss my son, my son is everything to me, I don't understand what happened," said Marina.

There is no word yet on when his body will be brought home.

You may leave your thoughts and condolences in our comments section below...

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