SPRING GROVE, Pa. (WHTM) -
Family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes to a York County soldier killed in Afghanistan.
An overcast day in Spring Grove mirrored the somber mood at Specialist Cameron Stambaugh's burial. He was killed earlier this month, when his armored vehicle struck a roadside bomb.
Beforehand, people who didn't know him waited for a chance to pay their respects to the 20-year-old soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
"They fight for us and our freedoms and this is only one way to pay them back," said Sandra Zorbaugh of Spring Grove.
"He gave his life for this country," said Steve Vassar, a Patriot Guard rider. "It doesn't matter what name you have, he voluntarily served this great nation of ours."
The Patriot Guard led the procession of friends and family who came to say goodbye to the man who died doing what he loved.
"We'd all run around the yard and play Army," said Stambaugh's childhood friend, Martin Eichelberger. "That's just what little kids do, but with Cameron and Jeff, that was something they always wanted to do. His 18th birthday came around -- couldn't sign them quick enough. That was just something he always wanted to do. He fulfilled his dream."
With the final military honors, loved ones said goodbye to Stambaugh, for now.
"I'm just going to cherish the memories I had with him because I know he's in a better place and I will see him again someday, and that's the thing that gets me through it," said Eichelberger. "Cameron, I just want to tell you I love you and I will see you again."
"We really prayed for him and our faith is strong so he is just home with Jesus. So that is where we have our peace," said Stambaugh's mother, Pam Smith.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to:
Spc. Cameron J. Stambaugh Memorial Scholarship
c/o Spring Grove Area Scholarship Foundation
PO Box 66
Spring Grove, PA 17362
or
The Wounded Warriors Project
1120 G Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
