Stories about late night antics and a smile that lit up the room reminded the hundreds of people who attended Cpl. Nicholas Arvanitis’ funeral on Tuesday, Oct. 17, of the lasting impression he left on those he knew.

Arvanitis would begin to recite nonsense stories out of nowhere and always wanted his friends to have a good time, lifelong friend Keith Stickney told those in attendance. That’s just the kind of guy he was.

The 22-year-old soldier was killed by small arms gunfire in Iraq on Friday, Oct. 6. He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division of the Army and had been stationed in Iraq since August.

The funeral drew hundreds of people from all areas of the community and beyond. Friends and family members, along with police, fire, town, and state officials filled St. Joseph’s Church to capacity, with some standing in the back.

Several friends and family members spoke to the crowd, citing Arvanitis’ courage and passion for life. Also, a slide presentation of pictures of Arvanitis was displayed on a screen at the front of the church.

“I can’t get over the waste, in a sense, of a life,” Lt. Col. Chaplain Patrick D. Neal of the 82nd Airborne Division said. “He was a bright, shining light we should have enjoyed for much longer.”

The crowd also included several members of Arvanitis’ division who had served with him in Iraq and traveled from various areas of the country to attend the funeral.

“He’s what everyone has already said about him – a great, all-around kid,” said fellow Army member Chris Giuca.

The funeral procession, which included more than 50 cars and dozens of motorcycles adorned with American flags, traveled from St. Joseph’s to Pine Grove Cemetery, taking a detour to pass through the Salem High School entrance driveway.

The motorcyclists were part of the Patriot Guard Riders who had come out to honor Arvanitis and to help offset a group of extremist anti-war protesters who threatened to come but never showed.

As it passed through town, the procession drew people out of their homes and businesses, who stood at the side of the road in tribute to Arvanitis.

“The town has been amazing,” said his sister Kimberly Arvanitis, 24, who was formerly a member of the Air Force and was stationed in Iraq. “Their support makes me want to stay in Salem.”

At the cemetery, Arvanitis received a 21-gun salute and members of the Salem High School Band played the trumpet.

Arvanitis grew up in Salem, graduating from Salem High School in 2003. He was a prominent member of the school’s championship wrestling team, as well as an accomplished guitarist in the jazz band. He also formed his own heavy-metal band with friends.

In 2001, Arvanitis performed with the Salem High School Band at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., after being asked by band director Marty Claussen to learn how to play the sousaphone. Though unfamiliar with the instrument, Arvanitis was able to learn it quickly and perform in front of millions of viewers across the country.

His passion for music and sports was only overshadowed by his commitment to his friends and family, according to those who knew him.

“Nick loved his family, friends, and his country,” Claussen said in a speech at the funeral. “He made the ultimate sacrifice to protect them.”

Arvanitis joined the Army before turning 18, having his mother sign the necessary forms.

Family members said he was eager to protect his country after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

“Nick was part of a generation who saw 9/11 happen and were old enough to know they could play a role,” said Salem High School social studies teacher Ben Adams, who had Arvanitis in two of his classes. “He was part of a group of young men who felt compelled to do something about it.”

Arvanitis, who had spent a year in Afghanistan in 2004, received orders to become an Army recruiter but refused them because he was determined to fight with his troop in Iraq, according to his sister.

Though she had urged him not to go to Iraq, Kimberly Arvanitis said her brother was set on going and enjoyed his time in the Army.

“He wasn’t afraid of the consequences,” she said.

Arvanitis is the second Salem soldier to be killed in the Iraq war. In May, Robert L. Moscillo, a 21-year-old Marine was killed as well.

“He may have been my little brother but I looked up to him,” Kimberly Arvanitis said. I want people to remember him as a multi-dimensional person. He brought so much to the table.”