(08/31/12) - Family and friends gathered together Friday in memory of Private First Class Shane Cantu.
The 20 year old was a stand-out football player at Corunna High School and 2010 graduate.
He died this week while serving in Afghanistan. Shane had been deployed for just a short time and was on his first tour of duty when he died.
Friends say the sacrifice he made for his country will never be forgotten.
Hundreds of people from Mid-Michigan gathered around the football field at Corunna High during a candlelight vigil.
It's the same field where 20-year-old Shane Cantu spent time as a dedicated player to his teammates.
"This kid loved this field. Loved football and to do this for him is pretty amazing. I wish it wasn't this way," said Brennin Adkins, who was Shane's best friend.
Family members embraced each other and everyone lit a candle in his memory.
"I would thank him and tell him that I'm really happy that he did fight for our country," said Danielle Lavacs, a former classmate.
There were tears, hugs and well wishes.
Even those who didn't know Shane are calling him their hero.
Shane was the captain of his football team. His best friend and former classmates say he was truly deserving of that title.
The cause of his death is not officially known, but his friends say he was killed when his base was attacked.
It could be several days before Shane's body returns home.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:05 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:05:13 GMT
(06/19/13) - Thousands of teachers, administrators, and parents are rallying for public education at the state capitol in Lansing. The Save Michigan's Public School Rally is expected to last a couple
Some say a plan to dissolve struggling school districts, including one in Mid-Michigan, is an attack on public schools.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:49 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:49:45 GMT
FLINT (WJRT) - (6/19/13) - Imagine what your yard would look like if you only mowed the grass once a year. That's what the Genesee County land bank's properties will look like this summer. The Genesee
The Genesee County Land Bank owns about 40 percent of all the abandoned homes in Flint, and this year they can only afford to mow the lawns once.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:25:16 GMT
(06/19/13) - A warrant has been issued for Eric Spearman, in Saginaw's 16th murder this year. Saginaw Police say he shot and killed Hoshea Pruitt last Tuesday. ABC12 has learned Spearman is no stranger
A warrant has been issued for Eric Spearman, in Saginaw's 16th murder this year.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:24 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:24:55 GMT
(06/19/13) - The abandoned Buick City site, in Flint, could soon be revived. Revitalizing Auto Communities Environmental Response Trust says deals with two companies to purchase large pieces of land
The abandoned Buick City site, in Flint, could soon be revived.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:24 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:24:52 GMT
(06/19/13) - A Mid-Michigan community is one step closer to revitalizing part of its downtown area. Tuesday night, Grand Blanc City Council approved site plans to turn two empty buildings into retail
A Mid-Michigan community is one step closer to revitalizing part of its downtown area.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:23 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:23:00 GMT
(06/19/13) - A presidential election often leads to long lines at the polls, but that's not usually the case for other elections. A Saginaw County group is hoping to change that for next year's mid-term
A presidential election often leads to long lines at the polls, but that's not usually the case for other elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:08 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:08:59 GMT
(06/19/13) - It's about to get really loud along the Saginaw River. The Bay City River Roar returns this weekend for the 26th year. "We're so pumped up, and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. It
It's about to get really loud along the Saginaw River. The Bay City River Roar returns this weekend for the 26th year.
