Kraig Foyteck laid to rest

An Illinois soldier who had plans to be home to enjoy Thanksgiving with his family was laid to rest Friday. Army Sergeant Kraig Foyteck, a graduate of Niles West High School, was killed in late October by Iraqi insurgents just outside of Baghdad.

Eight years ago, Kraig Foyteck's future looked bright as he graduated from high school. At his funeral Thursday his mother expressed this thought: The hardest thing about losing her son is trying now to plan for the future.
"He was doing what he wanted to do. And I have to honor that as much as I'm going to miss him and I don't think it's fair. But he was doing what he believes," said Connie Foyteck, mother.

Connie Foyteck also revealed her son had bought an airline ticket to come home in time for Thanksgiving. She never wanted to believe he would come home, instead, in a coffin.

"He brought a smile to everyone and it was just amazing. He was always doing something. You never knew what to expect. He was a great kid," Connie Foyteck said.

During the funeral service at St. Peter Catholic Church in Skokie, Sgt. Foyteck was honored with a Purple Heart, actually his second Purple Heart.

Burial, with full military honors, came at the Maryhill Cemetery in Niles.

One of Kraig Foyteck's friends was a civilian pallbearer, Eric Chan, who remembered his buddy's laugh and smile.

"He could get anybody together and they could have a great time no matter where they were or what they were doing," said Chan.

"He was such a great kid. So many things he had to still do though, you know. Such a loss," Connie Foyteck said.

Kraig Foyteck is the 25th Illinois member of the armed forces to die in Iraq this year.

Also appearing at the funeral and burial Thursday were dozens of members of the Illinois Patriot Guard to shield the family from protesters.

From WLS 7

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