WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderFuneral services held for soldier killed in Afghanistan

Funeral services held for soldier killed in Afghanistan

By Samantha Ptashkin

FREEPORT (WREX) - Hundreds of people pack Freeport High School to say farewell to a man whose life got cut short while serving his country in Afghanistan. Specialist Norman Cain III  died March 15, after a bomb went off by his vehicle. Specialist Cain was just 22-years-old. He joined the army in July 2007 and left for Afghanistan last November.

"We grew up together at his grandparents house, always on trikes, running on in to each other, just doing mayhem. I don't think there's any words to explain how proud our family is. He did something he loved to do and he did it honorably," said Specialist Cain's cousin, Private David Pfile.

Flags lined Freeport High School's lawn to honor Specialist Cain. Before leaving for Afganistan he lived in Mt. Morris, but grew up in Freeport, graduating from the high school in 2006. "He was amazing. He was always there if you ever needed him, he'd be there and if he couldn't be there he'd try talking you through stuff if you're down or anything," Private Pfile said. 

While in Afghanistan Specialist Cain helped rebuild roads, schools and hospitals. He was a mechanic at home and carried a lot of those skills with him overseas. "Not only was he an active driver for our team, but the platoon. If they were down a driver, he'd volunteer to go help," said Specialist Cain's Team Leader Richard Davis.

But it's not just this soldier's dedication that brought Patriot Guard Riders and hundreds of people together to remember him. He also had quite the sense of humor. "Ya know he was a jokester, the whole team that we had they were practical jokers," Davis said.

"He was always the one that wanted to have a good time and never wanted to be down. He'll be loved and remembered honorably and with respect," Private Pfile said.

Specialist Cain is the 27th Illinois National Guard Member to have died since operations began in Afghanistan and Iraq. This was his first deployment in the war. He leaves behind a wife, a son and a stepdaughter.