PFC Brian Gorham would've turned 22 at the end of the month.

Unfortunately, the end came too soon for this young soldier.

WBKO spoke with his parents as they cope with the loss of their heroic young son.

As Toney and Shirley Gorham look at pictures they recall the emotion they felt after learning their son, had been severely burned.

"Your heart jumps, just hoping that he's not hurt that bad," says Toney.

"Nobody can prepare you really cause your mind don't want to accept the worse. Mine didn't," agrees his wife, Shirley.

Yet despite the bleak situation, the Gorham's held out hope for their son's recovery.

"We got a phone call and they had taken the respirator off of him. The doctor had called us and said our son had spoke and said "where's my mom and dad?", Toney tearfully explains.

The Gorhams' say they cherish the two weeks they were able to be around Brian.

"We actually got to spend Christmas with him and that's something no one can take away from me," Toney explains.

"To see someone special I love laying there the way he was, was a special Christmas blessing, especially of all the ones I heard had passed. It was a blessing each day... he just couldn't hold on," exclaims a tearful Shirley.

Since Brian's passing, they've received support from all over, even the soldiers who fought alongside their son.

"All of them called saying how bad they miss him, wish he was there and said, "there's nobody like Brian," notes Toney with a smile.

The pictures of their little boy don't remind the Gorham's of the son they lost, but of the soldier who gave his life for his country.

"He was trying to make it better and he really fought to make it better," Toney proudly states.

Public visitation for PFC Brian Gorham will begin Sunday morning at 10 and last until 9 pm at Crafton Funeral Home in Franklin, Ky.

Visitation will continue Monday from 9 am to 9 at Crafton Funeral Home.

The funeral will take place Tuesday afternoon at 2, also at Crafton Funeral Home.

The 21-year-old will be buried at Hillsdale Cemetery in Franklin.