The mother of a Marine from Brooklyn, who died serving his country, collapsed in grief on his flag-covered casket Friday.

Family members and friends mourned Lance Corporal Nicholas Whyte, 21, during his funeral service at Bedford Central Presbyterian Church. They read from poems that Whyte wrote and friends say he even saved another soldier's life, but did not boast about it. Officials pinned a Purple Heart on Whyte?s younger brother in his honor. Whyte was the son of Jamaican immigrants who made their home in Brooklyn. The Marine was a straight-A student who gained scholarships to private high schools and dominated in sports like swimming and football. Whyte's parents say he wanted to be a soldier since childhood. Whyte's father, who was also a Marine, says his heart goes out to people who have relatives serving overseas.

The military says a sniper killed Whyte in Ramadi, Iraq on June 21, two days before his birthday. The Marine was on his second tour of duty. Whyte?s family hopes his legacy will live on.

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