In this photo, the boy with the blonde hair and shy smile is no more than 3 years old.

Gripping a blue beach shovel, he's been caught by the camera in a moment of open-mouthed exuberance - or, could that have been the start of a toddler's temper tantrum?

A little older, he's playing with friends, posing on bicycles, experimenting with hairstyles. Images capture him grinning beneath the weight of giant sunglasses, building snowmen, fishing, hunting, smiling.

Of course, Cameron Stambaugh grew up, as little boys tend to do. In more recent photos, he's wearing military uniforms, posing with comrades in faraway places and showing off the tattoo on his muscular arm.

Stambaugh was "full of life," Marge Barger said as she examined

Stambaugh

The office manager in a local doctor's office, Barger had watched Stambaugh grow up.

Now she was attending his funeral.

A 2010 graduate of Spring Grove Area High School, Stambaugh died July 8 alongside five other NATO service members when a roadside bomb exploded near their armored vehicle in Afghanistan. Stambaugh had been deployed to the country in February. He was 20 years old.

On Saturday, dozens of red, white and blue flowers flanked a casket draped with the American flag. Military officers wearing white gloves and shiny black shoes ceremoniously gave Stambaugh's parents, Mitchell Stambaugh of Spring Grove and Pamela Smith of Hanover, several awards on behalf of their son.

Stambaugh earned a NATO Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart. He was also post-humously promoted to the rank of specialist.

The Gold Star - a symbol of having lost a loved one in combat - was awarded to 10 family members.

U.S. Army Gen. Tony Cucolo commended Stambaugh's service. He pledged to "live a life worth of Cameron's sacrifice."

"He believed his nation needed him," Cucolo said. "And we did."

A friend, Martin Eichelberger, said Stambaugh was an "awesome guy" and a reliable friend.

Eichelberger offered a story Saturday about something that happened soon after Stambaugh's death. Weary from news of his friend's death, Eichelberger said he ran a red light and was nearly hit by a tractor trailer. He said he believes Stambaugh intervened to save him from what would have been a horrific traffic accident.

"He was there for me," Eichelberger said. "That's how I want to remember him."

Kevin Orewiler, the pastor at Hanover Foursquare Church, remembered Stambaugh as a "quiet, kind, compassionate, carring young man" who'd fulfilled his dream to be a soldier.

He urged mourners to turn to God for comfort.

"Cameron has influenced each and every one of your lives," Orewiler said. "In God's plan, every life is long enough and every death is timely."

Stambaugh was laid to rest at Trinity Roth UCC's cemetery in Spring Grove.