Marine will be buried here

David Arkin
The Cullman Times
Published on: 06-10-2005

A 22-year-old northern Alabama Marine who died in Iraq earlier this week will be buried in Cullman.

Lance Cpl. Jonathan Smith, who died Monday when a roadside bomb exploded near Fallujah, will be buried at the Cullman Heritage Cemetery, said his mother, Donna Smith. The Cullman Heritage Funeral Home is taking care of arrangements.

Jonathan Smith moved with his family to northern Alabama in 1998. They lived a few miles from the Eva community near the Cullman/Morgan county border.

His body is expected to arrive soon at the Huntsville International Airport, said his mother. It would then be transported to the Cullman Heritage Funeral Home.

However, Donna Smith said the family hasn't set funeral services yet.

"We just don't know when the funeral services are going to happen," Donna Smith said on Thursday afternoon. "We can't set a date until his body gets here. They need to see what kind of condition his body is in."

Donna Smith said a "full military funeral" would be held for her son.

"The Marines in Huntsville will be taking care of the military part of the funeral, which will include Marines being pall bearers and 'Taps' being played. I have never been to a military funeral before."

Bill Hill, funeral director of the Cullman Heritage Funeral Home said military funerals are "unique."

"They are beautiful," he said. "They are done a bit different than other funerals. A military funeral is something everyone should see."

Hill said his funeral home has done "many" military funerals in the past.

He said normally military personnel will serve as pall bearers, there will be a flag presentation where the United States flag will be draped over the casket, "Taps" will be played and a 21-gun salute will be conducted.

While the Smith family prepares to bury their son, they are fortunately receiving needed support from their family, the community and dignitaries.

Donna Smith said most of her family from Georgia has arrived at their home in northern Alabama. She said that kind of family support is helping in a big way during this difficult time.

"We don't have any family here, so the fact that our family from Georgia has arrived has been nice," Donna Smith said. "As far as the community is concerned, every neighbor of ours has been here and it seems like everyone in Oden Ridge and Cullman has come up here. We have received major support. We couldn't have asked for better support than we are getting."

Even politicians are offering their condolences.

"The governor of Alabama called twice already and we missed his call," Donna Smith said. "We were told that he will keep on trying to get in contact with us."

Riley told The Cullman Times that his family's thoughts go out to the Smith family.

"Nothing should make Americans prouder than knowing we have brave men and women serving our country and the noble cause of freedom," Riley said. "Lance Cpl. Jonathan Smith was such a man and we all are indebted to him. Patsy and I offer our deepest condolences to his family. They lost a devoted family member, and our nation has lost a valiant defender of freedom."

Sen. Richard Shelby offered similar words.

"It is a terrible tragedy whenever we loose one of nation's brave soldiers, especially one so close to home," Shelby said. "Lance Cpl. Jonathan Smith was a hero, and the sacrifices he made for our nation will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time."

It's believed there are no Cullman County people who have died in the war in Iraq. Jonathan Smith's connection would make him the closest person to the county to have died in the war.

Jonathan Smith was stationed at Camp Lejuene, N.C., with the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Division, U.S. Marine Corps.

He graduated from Brewer High School.