TEXAS CITY – The true meaning of Memorial Day was never so evident for retired Marine Jose Jaurigue until now. On the weekend the nation pauses to honor those who gave their lives in military service for the country, Jaurigue’s son joined the ranks of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Spc. Michael James Jaurigue, 20, was killed last week when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol in Iraq.

The family of the Dickinson High School graduate was notified of his death Saturday just as they were set to celebrate the Memorial Day weekend.

“He was our everything,” Jose Jaurigue said while showing The Daily News his son’s bedroom at the family’s north Texas City home Sunday. On the wall were photos of Michael’s days as a soccer player for the Texas City Terminators as well as a pencil drawing of a polar bear he drew as a youngster.

11 News

Spc. Michael James Jaurigue

“He was really, really dedicated and focused,” Mr. Jaurigue said while choking back tears.

Jose Jaurigue said the events of 9-11 convinced his son he wanted to join the military. He joined the Army so he could eventually become a Green Beret.

“He told us he wanted to go to Ranger school and then eventually become a Green Beret,” said Jose. “You knew he would do it too, because he was so focused.”

An example of that focus was shown in Michael’s senior year at Dickinson High School. After transferring from Texas City High School, the young man found that he would be two credits shy of being eligible to graduate with his senior class.

“So he took night courses to get those credits so he could graduate with that class,” said Jose. “Whenever he said he was going to do something, he did it.”

The same dedication was given to the Army and its mission in Iraq. While the war is controversial, Jose Jaurigue said his son saw his mission as part of something bigger.

“He told is aunt that, ‘If I die at least I will know there’s a good reason,’” Jose recalled. “He was really, really hurt by 9-11. He was too young then to do something about it, but said someday he would (join the Army) to make sure (terrorists) don’t do something like that again.”

Jose last saw his son two weeks ago when the 20-year-old returned home for a 15-day leave from his first tour in Iraq. Michael returned to Iraq on May 14.

Details of how he was killed were not released by the Defense Department Saturday. Jose Jaurigue was to meet with an Army liaison today to make funeral arrangements.

Jaurique is the seventh Galveston County military service member to be killed in Iraq since the war began more than three years ago.