NORTH LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A South Florida soldier killed in Iraq last week will be laid to rest Tuesday.

Pfc. Daniel J. Agami, 25, of Coconut Creek, died June 21 from injuries he suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle, the Department of Defense said Monday. He was one of five soldiers killed in the explosion.

Agami's friends gathered at his parents' home Monday after learning of the news.

"He was a great man and I believe that Daniel lived and died so we could be safe," friend Daniel Mora said. "He's a real hero."

Agami and his siblings attended the Hebrew Academy in Margate.

His school principal read from the script of one of his recent speeches on the depths of his war experiences.

"I've seen my share of bloodshed and I've seen grown men cry," read Carol Stav, who kept in close contact with Agami. "The deaths of my friends have been traumatic even though as soldiers we have been trained to deal with the most unexpected situations."

Agami, whom the Army planned to feature in its newest advertising campaign, will receive a Purple Heart posthumously.

"Daniel joined the Army for no reason other than to serve his country in a battle that he thought was just," Stav said. "On the other hand, Daniel was a very proud Jewish man, and he combined his Judaism and his American patriotism."

Agami's funeral will be held Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at the Star of David Funeral Home, located at 7701 Bailey Road, in North Lauderdale.