A young solider from Manahawkin made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for his country in Iraq.

Army Specialist Kareem Khan, 20, was killed earlier this week in an explosion. Khan?s parents say his Muslim faith did not keep him from enlisting in the Army.

?He was just as American as the kid next door,? Kahn?s father, Feroze ?Roy? Khan, said. ?He believed and loved America.?

Khan graduated from Southern Regional High School. He was due home next month after being away for more than a year. Khan had received a purple heart for previous injuries and was planning to attend medical school.

Khan will be buried next Thursday in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.