Ernesto G. Cimarrusti

Thursday, March 13 2008 @ 11:56 PM MDT

KVOA -- Only one son in the family remains after two tragic accidents, as the war in Iraq claims a brother's life.

In fact, this is now the second soldier from Douglas to be killed overseas.

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ernesto Cimarrusti was killed Monday during a suicide bomb attack in Baghdad.

The 25 year old artillery soldier graduated from Douglas High School in 2000 and joined the Army right after September 11, 2001.

Cimarrusti is survived by his wife and young daughter who live in Georgia.

News 4 talked to his brother in Douglas.

"I just got out of work and I got a phone call from his wife. She told me the news that he was killed."

Victor Verdugo, 40, was legal guardian to his kid brother, Staff Sergeant Ernesto Cimarrusti throughout his childhood. He says he was more like a father than a brother to the 25 year old.

Now, Verdugo is planning his funeral.

"It's hard for us right now because we already lost two brothers," he said.

His family has seen its share of tragedies.

Verdugo's other two brothers died from unrelated accidents.

Now, Verdugo is the only brother, left.

"I lost him, my last brother."

And what a man he was, taking his young family and his work very seriously.

"Since he was little, he liked to play soldier. He was very excited to join the Army," said Verdugo.

This brother has a message for all the other families who have lost loved ones in Iraq.

"I would say to them, God bless them, because God is the only One that is going to give us support to overcome this tragedy."

Staff Sergeant Ernesto Cimarrusti's body will be brought to Douglas this weekend.

There will be a viewing on Sunday and a ceremony on Monday, in Douglas.

Staff Sergeant Cimarrusti will then be buried in Cananea, Mexico.

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