A week after his death in Iraq, the town of Troy came together yesterday to mourn one of their fallen sons, Marine Staff Sgt. Stephen L. Murphy, 36.

In an afternoon ceremony on the common, friends and family remembered Murphy as dedicated to the Marines and compassionate about helping others.

"He touched this earth, and he left behind all beautiful things for people in this town," said his mother, Carol Murphy of Troy, adding: "I really can't say too much more about him because in my eyes his spirit is always with us."

Veterans saluted the flag at half-staff. Flowers rested near a portrait of Murphy, dressed in a military uni-

form with gold buttons and a white cap. Elected officials opened their hearts and offered help, all in the shadow of Mount Monadnock.

"God is going to give something in return for Stephen," his mother said.

As she slept last Sunday, three uniformed Marines knocked on her door in Troy to say her only son had died. Since then, the town and Corps have rallied around Murphy, helping to arrange a funeral and fill out paperwork.

"God got me through this," she said yesterday. "Stephen got me through this. The U.S. Marine Corps got me through this."

Lynn Quade of Rindge saw Stephen Murphy as a brother - he lived with her family for a number of years growing up. Speaking to a crowd of about three dozen, Quade said Murphy had the tenacity to overcome challenges in life by letting them make him a stronger person.

"The kid was just amazing, and I wish he was here for me to tell him how proud I am," she said.

Murphy loved to play guitar. When he first tried to join the Marines, he was turned down because he had dropped out of Monadnock Regional High School and was too small.

So, at the age of 18, Murphy went back to school, eventually graduating from Conant High School with honors, according to Quade.

To bulk up, he went to the gym twice a day.

"I had a hard time picturing him as a soldier because he was such a tender man," she said.

Murphy was making a career out of being in the military. His mother said he was thinking about getting out to build a home and get married.

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