According to his parents, the officers who brought the unfortunate news were under the impression that Eddie Brabazon had died by "friendly fire." His April 27, 2004 overseas death certificate deemed it a "non-hostile gun wound of the head," but his April 1 autopsy report cited "suicide."

"Eddie came a long way. He had too much going in his life to kill himself," says Peggy, adding that a recent girlfriend of his had just given birth. "He was very glad to have a baby."

In a phone conversation with his parents two days before his death, Eddie said, "It's bad enough here, but worse in my unit." The Christmas before his death, he returned home for a short leave and expressed a strong interest in learning Spanish, "so I can understand what [members of my unit] are saying."

His brother Joey presented him a colored T-shirt but Eddie wouldn't take it, explaining that the particular color would offend his fellow soldiers. Members of Eddie's unit have told his parents they believe a Spanish gang called the "Crimson Bloods" was formed at Fort Bragg, and has since been relocated to Baghdad. (While still at Fort Bragg, Eddie had complained that members of his unit had beaten him while his own lieutenant held him down.)

The Brabazons claim that in the course of their personal fact-finding mission, they have been verbally abused by many military officials, one of whom they claim said, "He was adopted. Of course he had mental problems."

Was it worth it? Eddie's father says, "We should have gone in. I don't know all the history, but Saddam was someone we should have handled a long time ago.

"As far as my son's death, that was senseless. Had he died in action, I could go with that. But not this: a half-assed autopsy, criticizing us — not this."

"Nothing is worth a kid," Peggy replies. "He was only 20. They took the most valuable time of his life — and there are 18- and 19-year-olds over there. They should all be brought back; we can't solve what's wrong over there. I agree with the 100 million other people [who say] that this war should never have happened or should have ended a long time ago."

One of 12 adopted children of Peggy and Edward F. Brabazon, foster parents in Bensalem who've taken in many Philadelphia children

Paratrooper: 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Shot and killed in Baghdad, March 9, 2004