CHICAGO -- A 24-year-old Marine from Lansing, Ill., was killed over the weekend in Iraq.

Lance Cpl. Philip John Martini was killed Saturday by hostile small-arms fire in Al Karmah, near Fallujah, according to the Web site iCasualties.org.

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According to a statement issued by Lt. Col. David Furness posted on the site, Martini died after a "well-planned and coordinated attack" by enemy forces, which U.S. Marines repelled. Furness said Martini was moving to reinforce troops when he was killed.

Martini, who graduated in 2000 from Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing, was on his third deployment in Iraq since joining in 2003.

"My mother would like everyone to mourn our loss second, for a celebration of his life, and his contribution to it itself," said Martini's brother, James, reading from a letter from Martini's mother.

He was a member of the 1st Battalion 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. Joining the Marine Corps had been a dream of Martini's.

"He said, 'Mom, if I'm joining the Marines, I'm going to be a Marine. The best of the best,'" James Martini said. "All of us will remember his smile, his love of his family and friends, especially the love of his big brothers."

Outside of Thornton Fractional South High School, the flag rested at half-staff in Martini's honor. To date, more than 2,300 soldiers have died in the Iraq war.

"It wasn't something that you ever dream could happen," said Anthony Martini, another brother. "It was terrible. I think the past day, we've learned to laugh a little more, reflect on Phil."

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 18, from 2 to 9 p.m. at Drumm Funeral Home, 1200 E. 162nd St. in South Holland, Ill., according to the Northwest Indiana Times. A mass in Martini's honor will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 19, at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 700 E. 170th St. in South Holland.

Martini will be laid to rest at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill.

Martini's father urged anyone who wanted to send flowers or condolences to instead make a donation to the Injured Marines Fund.

"Phil was loved by cousins, uncles, aunts, just as much as we loved him," said Martini's father, Philip Martini. "He's so missed."