Army Spc. Shawn D. Gajdos had a regular morning ritual that involved a glass of milk. He shared it with a cat. Each morning he'd take a drink and then give a drink to the feline. In Iraq, Gajdos' empathy toward animals extended farther. He and another soldier briefly adopted a camel spider, giving it food and shade.
  
Friends recalled anecdotes of that sort after Gajdos, 25, of Grand Rapids, Mich., died June 6 when his unit was attacked by insurgents using homemade bombs and small arms.
  
Gajdos had been assigned to 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley.
  
Gajdos's desire to assist others less fortunate always shone through. His favorite movie was "Pay it Forward."
  
"He'd do anything for anyone," said Kay Shepard, whose home was like a second one for Gajdos.
  
He graduated high school in 2000 and was assigned to Fort Riley. His interests included biking, swimming and mountain climbing. He had recently become addicted to Sudoku puzzles but held a long fascination with video and role-playing games.
  
In Iraq, Gajdos yearned for Andes mints and Trident strawberry-kiwi gum. He was taking online courses from Central Texas College.
  
"He told us that he never regretted going into the service," said Shepard. "He told us it was the best decision he ever made."
  
He also is survived by his mother, Brenda Richards, and father, Anthony Gajdos., 25, of Grand Rapids, Mich.