Joaquin Zermeno has fond memories of his baby brother Lieutenant Andres Zermeno.
He was killed in action on Sunday while serving in Afghanistan.
The family received the horrible news from his wife while eating dinner.
"She was in tears, she was sobbing, she took a deep breath and said you need to get home with your parents,” said Joaquin Zermeno. “I told her I’m home, she cried a little longer and she said she just had a visit and we were going to get one soon.”
The chilling news has taken days to set in.
Speaking out for the first time, Zermeno's brother Joaquin, who's a catholic priest, said his brother was a hero.
Adding he first joined the military in college with the ROTC program and worked at the National Guard.
He said his brother spent his life serving others and was friendly to everyone, and said the community is now in shock.
"When he was three weeks old, he was born November 30th, Christmas was three weeks later, so he was baby Jesus,” Joaquin said. “I’ve had text messages and phone calls from people saying please tell me this isn't your baby brother who was baby Jesus.”
Joaquin told Action 4 News the past few days have been tough on his family, but are trying to accept their young soldier’s death.
He said humans make their own choice and his brother made the bravest of all.
"Andy chose to do his duty and somebody else chose to fire an RPG at his vehicle, it’s all human choices, we all have free will.”
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