MIAMI -- Her son was killed in Iraq, but a Florida mother insists on holding a birthday celebration at his grave, Miami television station WPLG reported.

On Nov. 3, like she has every year since her son was killed, Deborah Smith threw a birthday party for her son at the Dade Memorial Cemetery.

"This is a celebration of his life -- the day he came into the world," Smith said.

Some people greeted her with smiles, others with looks of disbelief. Most people aren't used to seeing birthday parties at a cemetery.

It's been five years since Smith's son, Antwoine, a U.S. Marine, was killed in Iraq. On Tuesday, he would have turned 27.

Smith served up cake and told her son's story to anyone who would listen. Photos of Antwoine, along with his combat boots, were propped up against his headstone.

"He was shot right in the head," Smith said, describing her son's injuries to an unknown visitor. "He was on a mission and the enemy shot him and threw grenades at him. At least he went without pain."

Smith said she realizes it all seems a bit morbid. But she said keeping the graveside tradition helps her to cope.

"I'm sure without a doubt he's going, 'Mom, what are you doing?'" Smith said. "But I think about him all the time. I struggle to move on," she said.

After her son was killed, Smith joined American Gold Star Mothers, a nonprofit organization for grieving war families. She is now the vice president of the organization's Florida chapter. Thousands of families across the country come together through Gold Star to share their stories during organized meetings.

"People tell us to move on and get over it. We have to do life differently to help find closure. People who have lost their loved ones in war go through a different set of emotions," she said.

Smith's pursuit of closure is a reminder that freedom comes at a price. And while hers is not your average celebration, she said it's a way to honor her son and slowly say goodbye.

For more information on American Gold Star Mothers visit: www.goldstarmoms.com.