Two East Northport parents are celebrating the life of their son, a Marine who lost his life in Iraq Saturday.

Christopher Scherer, who turned 21 at the end of June, dreamed of joining the Marine Corps since he was 16 years old, his mother, Janet, said. A 2004 graduate of Northport High School, Scherer was recently promoted to corporal and told his parents of his intention to re-enlist.

The Marine Corps, nor Scherer's family, would say how or where he was killed, citing the safety of his unit.

"I guess surreal is the only word I can say," Janet said. "You knew he was at risk and all the things that could happen, but you just don't expect it to happen."

Nonetheless, Scherer's father, Tim, stressed how their son's life is not being mourned. Rather, they celebrate the man he became.

"He became who he wanted to be," he said. "It's a success story. I'm happy for him he found what he was looking for."

The Scherer family will travel to Delaware to pick up their son's body and return him to Long Island.