Family and friends of Marine Sgt. Byron Norwood remember his life. The 25-year-old was killed in action on Nov. 12 in Fallujah.

His family said Byron believed serving his country as a Marine was something he had to do.

"He even said, 'I know what my mission is, if I come back from Iraq that's great, if I don't I'm willing to pay that price,'" father Bill Norwood said.

Byron was in his second deployment in Iraq as a member of the Third Battalion, First Marine Regiment. Loved ones remember him as a caring person, always full of energy.

"He loved life, he enjoyed every minute of it. He wanted to be involved and be a participant. He made the most out of every moment," Pflugerville High Principal Larry Bradley said.

Byron graduated from Pflugerville High School in 1998, where he was involved in band, sports and drama. But those who knew him best say his passion was always to become a Marine.

"He made that transition from rambunctious teenager to fully grown man and was truly committed," Bill Norwood said.

Byron served six years in the Marines mostly in Iraq.

"He had a commitment to our country and he believed deeply that the fight against terrorism needs to be kept away from our shores, that the fight should be over there, not here, and he saw his role as critical in that as well as bringing something of value to the Iraqi people," his father said.

Byron planned to attend Texas Tech University next fall.

His family hopes to lay him to rest this week in Pflugerville.