"Brandon Smitherman's life was marked by his compassionate nature and endearing smile. Advertisement Now, the 21-year-old will be remembered for making the ultimate sacrifice, friends said before the fallen soldier was laid to rest at Garden Park Cemetery Friday. Smitherman, of Conroe, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart for his bravery on the battlefield. Smitherman, who was often referred to as 'Smitty' by his fellow soldiers, earned the nickname 'Little Tim' because he drove a Humvee for Capt. Timothy McGovern, the unit's commander who became Smitherman's mentor, Army Brigadier General Francis C. Mahon said at the funeral, held at The Ark Family Church....
...At the internment, Mahon presented the flag draped over his coffin to Smitherman's mother, Teresa, and the flag that accompanied his body on the plane to Montgomery County to his father, Harvey. The family also received presentations from members of the Houston chapter of Blue Star Mothers of America, a support group for mothers of servicemen and women.The Houston chapter has attended 25 funerals this year.Perhaps the words scrawled on homemade signs held by the hundreds of strangers lining Conroe streets thanking Smitherman for his sacrifice were most telling about the message he left behind."Home of the free because of the brave.""
Houston Community Newspapers Online - Conroe soldier laid to rest as hundreds praise his life:
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