Arkansans Remember Fallen Marine

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Residents in northwest Arkansas were coming together Wednesday to honor the memory of a hometown Marine killed in Iraq.

Pvt. Brandon Smith, 20, died last week when his Humvee was attacked. It was his first day on assignment.

Since his body was returned to Arkansas Tuesday, Smith's friends and many others across the region were keeping his memory alive.

Josh Helm, one of Smith's best friends, said he is now caring for Smith's beloved guitar.

"He named it Lokie," Helm said. "He loved his guitar so much he had its name tattooed on his arm before he left."

The guitar is one of many things that Smith asked his friends to take care of if he died in combat. His friends said that Smith left a detailed list, which included taking care of his family and creating a scholarship fund for a student at his high school.

"We'll complete everything he asked us to do because we loved him ...(it's) one more way to say goodbye," Helm said.

A Fayetteville disc jockey is leading the effort to raise money for the scholarship fund.

Jeff Michaels said the response has been overwhelming.

"It came up this morning on the show, and all of a sudden, boom!" Michaels said. "The phones went nuts and people were saying 'I feel for this family ... we should do something.'"

Michaels said the outpouring of grief and support was so strong that the station decided to have listeners sign a scroll to give to Smith's family.

Meanwhile, the fallen Marine's friends were still trying to cope with his death. Helm said he would use Smith's guitar to keep his friend's memory alive.

"If his guitar gets fixed and I play it, I'll feel like he's still alive because I used to play it for him," Helm said.

Gov. Mike Huckabee issued a proclamation Wednesday honoring Smith's bravery.

Smith will be buried Friday in Fayetteville's National Cemetery.