A Montana soldier was laid to rest in his hometown on Saturday after dying last week in Baghdad.
Private Daren A. Smith, 19, was Helena High School graduate who died in Iraq as a result of non-combat related injures. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
Smith, who grew up in Butte, entered the U.S. Army in March and was stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana prior to his November deployment.
While Smith's funeral was held Saturday morning in Butte, the burial took place at the State Veteran's Cemetery at Fort Harrison in Helena and community members came out in force to remember the young soldier.
People waited in silence for the procession carrying the remains of Pvt. Smith and supporters lined the procession's route all the way from the highway to the burial site at Fort Harrison, holding their flags high and bearing the cold.
Friends and family honored the memory of the soldier as scriptures were read and a prayer was spoken. The Montana National Guard Honor Team folded the flag and presented it to Smith's mother as a token from a grateful nation, and with that Smith is laid to rest.
The U.S. Department of Defense has not yet released the details surrounding Smith's death.
- Kay Rossi reporting from KXLH in Helena
(from December 21, 2007)
Friends of a Montana soldier who died in Iraq are organizing a show of support for the family. Private Daren Smith's body arrived in Butte Thursday afternoon, as a cold wind swirled snow around family members and a military color guard.
Now, the American Legion in Helena, and family friends are urging as many people as possible to line the road leading to the Veteran's Cemetery at Fort Harrison Saturday.
Small American flags will be furnished to those who will line the road as the funeral procession arrives from Butte.
The Patriot Guard Riders will also be present to honor and support Smith's family.
The body of fallen Montana soldier, Daren Smith, has returned to the Mining City. The military plane carrying Daren arrived at Bert Mooney Airport at around 4 p.m. Thursday.
As flags fluttered on a cold and snowy evening, members of the color guard gently lifted Daren's casket into a waiting hearse. Tearful family members gathered nearby.
Earlier on Thursday afternoon, Daren's family and close friends waited for several hours at the airport, but poor weather conditions caused his arrival to be delayed. Members of the National Guard said they would wait no matter how long it took to get his body home.
A Montana Honor Guard official says Smith, 19, died in Baghdad last week as a result of non-combat related injures. They say his death is under investigation.
Daren, a Butte native, entered the army in March and was stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana. He left for Iraq just before Thanksgiving.
Honor Guard Team Chief, Denny Lenoir: "It's very difficult time for the family. Its right before the holidays and their taking it pretty hard right now, as can be expected."
Smith's funeral will take place Saturday at 10 a.m., at Wayrynen Richards Funeral Home in Butte. After the services, Daren will be buried at the State Veterans Cemetery in Fort Harrison at 12:30 p.m.
(From December 19, 2007)
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has ordered that all flags in the state be flown at half-staff beginning on Friday and ending on Saturday at sundown in honor of Army Private Daren Smith, 19, who died while on active duty status in Iraq last Thursday.
Private Smith's body will arrive in Butte on Thursday and will be received by members of the Montana National Guard. He'll be remembered with full military honors at Fort Harrison during public funeral services which are set for Saturday.
Montana Army National Guard Major Garth Scott says they are providing help to Smith's family.
"This is a very difficult time for Private Daren Smith's family. Obviously all of their family plans have been changed and they're doing their best to get through this right now. The Montana National Guard is performing casualty assistance through this period of time and will be there every step of the way for the family until the funeral and other things are complete."
Officials with the U.S. Department of Defense say that Private Smith died from injuries sustained during a non-combat incident last Thursday and add that the incident is still under investigation.
(from December 17, 2007)
Funeral services have been set for a soldier with Montana ties who was killed while on duty in Iraq.
Private Daren A. Smith, 19, of Helena, died on Thursday in Baghdad. The U.S. Department of Defense is still investigating the incident, but officials say that it appears that Smith died from non-combat related injuries.
Members of the Patriot Guard Riders report that Smith's body will arrive in Butte in the next few days.
Major Garth Scott of the Montana National Guard says Smith was in a small platoon that usually operates in front of the larger units and then reports back on conditions.
"Their mission is to be the eyes and ears of the commander, said Scott, "This is a very difficult time for Private Daren Smith's family. Obviously all of their family plans have been changed and they're doing their best to get through this right now. The Montana National Guard is performing casualty assistance through this period of time and will be there every step of the way for the family until the funeral and other things are complete."
The services will be held in Butte, where his family lives, and then the burial will take place at Fort Harrison in Helena.
Smith was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Polk in Louisiana.
He is the sixth soldier or Marine from Helena to die in the Iraq war since it began over four years ago. Overall, 22 Montana soldiers have died in Iraq.
He graduated from Helena High School in 2006, then completed one semester at the University of Montana-Helena College of Technology.
- Kay Rossi reporting from KXLH in Helena
(from December 15, 2007)
A 19-year-old soldier from Helena has died in Iraq.
The Department of Defense confirms private Daren A. Smith died Thursday in Baghdad of injuries he sustained from a non-combat related incident.
He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Polk, Louisiana.
The Pentagon didn't release any additional information about the incident, which is under investigation.
