George M. Ulloa Jr.

Sunday, August 06 2006 @ 07:04 AM EDT

News 8 Austin -- Family members of an Austin Marine say their hearts are broken after learning he was killed in Iraq. Sgt. George M. Ulloa Jr., 23, died Thursday after his tank was hit by a roadside bomb. He was a tank gunner who was on his second tour of duty in Iraq.

His wife, Maria, said she’s trying to be strong now that their three children no longer have a father.

"The first time I ever saw him cry was that day I walked down the aisle," she said.

Their six-year-old son Victor is known as George Jr. because he takes after his father so much. Five-year-old Luz was nicknamed “light bug,” and their youngest daughter, Rosalinda, or “Ro Ro” is one-and-a-half.

"He used to love to rock them. He liked to see them dressed up and he would make them wear pantyhose just because he thought they were cute," Maria said.

Anything George wanted, he tried to find a way to make it happen. That's why he joined the Marines. In late 2004, George was deployed to Iraq. He missed his youngest daughter's birth.

So, when he came home in March 2005, he made up for lost time. He learned how to play soccer so he could coach Victor’s team.

It was difficult for the Ulloas to explain to their children why daddy had to leave again this past March.

"He explained to them what he was doing and why he was doing it, and they understood and they were proud of him … [But] our son doesn't understand. Our oldest daughter is confused. She just wants him home. Our youngest doesn't know," Maria said.

George loved being a Marine. Maria said he sang the kids cadences instead of lullabies. But more than anything, he loved being a father.

"His kids can always be proud of what he did and why he did it. And they can always know they can look up to him. And there's no reason for me to be ashamed or hurt, because he's OK," Maria said.

Maria said she'll tell her kids stories about their father, and said every time she looks at them she sees a reflection of George.

The family has no word on when a memorial service might be held.

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