The remains of Army Sgt. Roshain Brooks, who died in service to the country, were returned to his family in Flatbush Wednesday.

The 30-year-old soldier died alongside 22-year-old Sgt. Allen Stigler, of Texas, during a combat mission in Iraq last week.

Mourners say Brooks began training in the Canarsie Park after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He wanted to get fit enough to join the military.

"He wanted to fight for his country, to defend the people," says Carmen Cooper, Brooks' cousin. "Because he loves the people."

A funeral service for Brooks will be held Thursday night at the Assembly for the First Born Church.

A procession will take place Friday morning and he will be buried at Calverton National Cemetery.