Growing up in Winnipeg, Mike Seggie dreamed that, one day, he'd follow in his father's footsteps and carve out a career in the military.

"When we were sitting in math glass in Grade 9, he was talking about wanting to go into the military, so that's where he ended up," recalls Chris Lein, Seggie's high school friend.

"Unfortunately, it wasn't good . . . what the outcome was."

Cpl. Seggie, a member of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry based in Shilo, Man., was killed Wednesday during an insurgent attack in Afghanistan.

He was just 21 years old.

The attack also claimed the lives of Shilo soldiers Cpl. Andrew (Drew) Grenon, 23, from Windsor, Ont., and Pte. Chad Horn, 21 from Calgary.

Seggie's parents, Jim and Shirley, received a phone call from the Canadian Forces early Wednesday, saying their son had been injured.

A military official arrived at their home to break the news, said a family member.

The parents were grieving and wouldn't comment Wednesday. But the family issued a statement describing the young soldier as someone who loved life and lived each day to the fullest.

"He enjoyed driving his 1968 Barracuda and showing it off any time he had the chance," the statement read.

"He was extremely close to his family as well as his many friends. He was looking forward to coming home to see his nephew, whom he was extremely proud of."

Family members described Seggie as a wonderful son, brother and uncle who had a deep commitment to the military - just like his father, who was a reservist for more than 30 years.

"His dad, uncle, and grandfather were involved in the military and that influenced his decision," said Angela Cinq-Mars, a family friend.

"I know the family wants Mike to be remembered as a hero, not only to the family, but to all Canadians, because he truly believed in what he was doing and truly felt it was his duty to defend our country."

Seggie's career was on the rise; he was recently promoted from a private to a corporal.

He was less than two weeks away from returning home from his tour of duty, excited to spend time with his tight-knit family.

"The really hard part is he was to come home in 10 days, and he should have come home. It was so close. That's the tougher part," his aunt, Karen Medwin, said through tears.

"You pray every day he's safe - and then you get that call that he's not coming home now."

Friends described Seggie as a person who always stood up for what he believed in. He was described as fearless and brave, traits that seems to run in the family.

His father, Jim, attempted to rescue victims of a fiery fatal car crash in 2007 on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Winnipeg.

Mike Seggie had the same kind of bravery, his aunt said.

"Nothing phased him. Whatever he had to do, he would do," Medwin said.

"The night before he left, we asked him if he was afraid of where he was going, and he said, 'No, I'm not afraid at all. This is my job. . . . This is what I've been trained for and this is what I'm going to do.' "