Mass. Son Dies In Iraq Suicide Bombing

The family of a Massachusetts soldier says the military has told them their son was killed in a suicide car bombing in Iraq.

John Roberge of Leominster said in a televised interview Tuesday with Boston station WBZ that he screamed in disbelief at casualty officers who came to tell him his 21-year-old son, Army Pvt. Jonathan Roberge, had been killed on Mosul. The family declined comment to The Associated Press, and the military has not yet made a public announcement.

Roberge said he is proud of his son, and Pauline Roberge said her son "loved life, and he believed in what he was doing."

The soldier has two younger sisters and a younger brother. The family said he went to Iraq in December.

Also on Tuesday, the Defense Department said 21-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin Preach of Bridgewater has died of wounds suffered Jan. 24 in Farah province, Afghanistan. He died on Saturday.