Family of Fallen Georgia Marine Seth Sharp Talks

An Adairsville family said a Georgia Marine was the first U.S. serviceman to die during a major new offensive in Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Seth Sharp was killed Thursday in the first day of fighting in "Operation Strike of the Sword."

Lance corporal sharp was part of an elite group of marines, chosen to go into southe Afghanistan Thursday to try and clear out the Taliban.

During an intense fire fight, the 20-year-old, called a hero by his family, was shot and killed.

The breeze comes slow and constant outside an Adairsville house like the acceptance and the pain, of knowing Seth Sharp will never come home.

"I'm proud he served his country. He's made the ultimate sacrifice. He's laid his life down for others," said Seth's father, Ric Sharp.

The life of Lance Corporal Sharp's father and his fiancé, changed forever four days ago. He was one of 4,000 marines sent into a terrorist safe haven in southe Afghanistan.

The fighting was intense and Sharp didn't make it. Hours later there was a knock at the door.

"We hope nobody has to have that visit that we had Thursday afteoon, because you just don't know how to feel. You know, sometimes you think you can just wake up from a bad dream," said stepmother Tiffany Sharp.

"Our biggest fear was that he was in pain or suffering. But we were assured he didn't have to go through any of that," said Ric Sharp.

Most of Seth's 20 years, his family said, was filled with the feelings of obligation and ambition to serve.

Sharp was an athlete at Adairsville High school. His dad said, before Seth left high school -- actually before he even went to grade school -- he knew he wanted to be a Marine.

"This was a dream he had always had since he was 3 or 4-years-old," said his father.

Seth's family said he loved it. He first served in Iraq and had been in Afghanistan only 6 weeks.

"But there was something about this deployment that was different to us both. We didn't have that -- I don't know what I would call it -- we didn't have the peace all the way in our stomachs when we knew he was going to Afghanistan," said Tiffany Sharp.

His family is proud, but left in pain.

"That's my prayer for any family out there. If you have children, enjoy every moment you have with them because I never thought it would happen here," said Seth's father.

The Sharp family said Seth's body is scheduled to come home Thursday.

Visitation will be Friday night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the funeral Saturday afteoon at 2 p.m. both at the Northpoint Church in Adairsville.

The family will open both to the public.