Summary:
Tears mingled with rain as a young fallen soldier returned home to New Philadelphia on Good Friday.
Sergeant James Smith came home as dusk fell on April 22, 2011 to flag lined streets and hundreds who stood in the rain to pay their respects to the fallen United States Army soldier. Smith, age 29, died suddenly while on active duty at Fort Campbell, Kentucky on Monday, April 18.
The Sergeant was flown into Pittsburgh International Airport, where his wife, Rachel, and other family members awaited his return along with members of the military funeral detail. From the airport, the motorcade, accompanied by the Patriot Guard Riders, traveled to New Philadelphia, where fellow veterans stood to welcome their fallen comrade. As the motorcade came to a stop, tears streamed down faces of friends and family members, mingling with the drizzling rain.
Debbie Cook, director of Tuscarawas County Veterans Office, was one of those on hand to pay their respects as the soldiers casket was carried into the Linn-Hert Funeral Home in New Philadelphia.
Our hearts ache for the family of this man who served our country so well. We want to be here for them in any way we can, said Cook, as she surveyed the dozens of military veterans, from various branches of service, who carried flags and stood at solemn attention as the young soldier arrived.
The veterans here tonight are from various veterans service organizations, noted Cook. When we called them, and told them the situation, they were right here. When you are in the military, it does not matter what the weather is. You do what you must do.
Roger Schwartz of New Philadelphia, district commander for the AmVets of the State of Ohio, was present as part of the VFW 1445 honor guard. Schwartz is also involved with the Veterans Service Commission of Tuscarawas County.
I know quite a few of these veterans here, Schwartz explained quietly. When a soldier has fallen, our office is called, and Debbie gets the word out to all of our organizations. Everyone just falls into place. A veteran is a veteran. Regardless of the rain, we are here. They never stop a war on account of the rain.
Cook explained that the Veterans organization will be stepping forward to assist Smiths wife, Rachel, and the couples daughter Hannah and unborn daughter Peyton.
There are benefits for the widow and her children. This is part of what we do at the County Veterans Office. This is just the beginning. We will come alongside this young woman and her children, and make sure their needs are met. There will be life insurance from the military, and benefits since he passed away during active service, and there will be health insurance for them. When the funeral is over, our work begins.
Added Schwartz, We are here for any veterans, and also for any of their widowed spouses.
Lori Sutton of Uhrichsville, along with other friends of the family, stood quietly in the
rain after the main crowds had departed, her eyes brimming with tears.
Jimmy has been a good friend of my son, Jason Stevens, since childhood, spoke Sutton softly. They grew up together. They hung out together at my house all the time. There
are lots of memories. They started out in elementary, went through high school, did sports together, Little League, wrestling, football, everything. Jimmy surely came along way, and made a lot of accomplishments. He surely had something to be proud of.
He went into the military in 2005. He went into ROTC while still in high school and then National Guard, then worked for awhile before going in to active duty with the Army.
Sutton shook her head sadly.
He just got to Kentucky, and Rachel and their little girl were supposed to go and be with him on Tuesday, she said. It is a hard thing.
Im proud of this young man. He did what he was to do, noted Schwartz, as he stood with an American flag in his hand. We are proud of all of these young men and women who are serving in the Armed Forces today.
Services for Sergeant James Smith are scheduled. Calling hours are Monday, April 25, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Linn-Hert Geib Funeral Home, located at 116 2nd Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio. The funeral service is to be held Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Broadway United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia, with burial to follow at Ridgecrest Memory Gardens in Dover.
