At the Campo VFW Tuesday a flag service was held for Army Spec. Adrian Perkins.
The flag dropped to half-staff in honor of the 19-year-old Pine Valley native's death.
A brother-in-arms recited the Prayer of Deceased Comrades while the veteran’s mother was comforted by family.
Perkins' grandfather--pained by the loss of a teenage grandson following in his military boot steps.
“My heart is very heavy right now. I never thought I’d outlive my grandchild,“ said a saddened Fred Ashby.
"He's my hero," his grandfather said.
Perkins died Saturday in a non-combat related shooting at a Jordanian military base. The Army confirmed Tuesday that his death is a criminal investigation.
“That's the part I don’t understand,” whispered Ashby. “I don’t understand friendly fire."
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Perkins was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Right after graduating Mountain Empire high in 2012, he joined the U.S. Army.
"He told me to hang on to them until he got back,” Taylor Perez said playing with a dog tag. "We were planning on having a future together. Now I'll never have a chance."
Perkins earned a number of service medals during his short military career serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
His mother will fly to Dover Air Force Base to meet her son as he arrives back on U.S. soil.
Family members expect him to return to California later in the week.
No word yet on funeral arrangements.
