Marine Lance Cpl. Jonathan L. Smith

Died June 6, 2005 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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22, of Eva, Ala.; assigned to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 8, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died June 6 of wounds sustained in an explosion while conducting combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq. Also killed was Lance Cpl. Robert T. Mininger.

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Alabama Marine killed in roadside bombing

Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A 22-year-old Alabama Marine was killed in Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded near Fallujah, family members said Tuesday.

Lance Cpl. Jonathan Smith, of Cullman, died Monday, said his father, Gary Smith. He said military officials notified the family of his son’s death on Monday afternoon.

“We were all just so proud of him,” Gary Smith told the Carrollton Times-Georgian. “I think we were more proud of him than he was of himself. We all thought what he was doing was just so brave, and I don’t think he saw it that way. He was really a hero.”

Jonathan Smith grew up in Sandhill, Ga., and moved with his family to Cullman in 1998. Gary Smith said his son decided to join the military after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He enlisted in the Marine Corps immediately after his graduation from A.P. Brewer High School in May 2002.

He was stationed at Camp Lejuene, N.C., with the Marines’ 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Division.

Gary Smith said family members had received few details about his son’s death.

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Funeral service held for fallen Marine

CULLMAN, Ala. — More than 100 friends, family and strangers gathered Monday for the funeral of 22-year-old Marine Lance Cpl. Jonathan Smith, who was killed June 6 in an explosion near Fallujah, Iraq.

“He was exceptional,” said family friend Craig Johnson, who spoke at the hour-long ceremony at Cullman Heritages funeral home. “The 9/11 attacks became personal for him, and he decided to join the Marines. He decided to join because he was willing to sacrifice.”

Smith, who moved with his family to Oden Ridge in 1998, enlisted immediately after his graduation from A.P. Brewer High School in May 2002. He was stationed at Camp Lejuene, N.C., before being deployed to Iraq.

Camp Lejeune Chaplain Emory Lussi also spoke at the service, surrounded by hundreds of red, white and blue flowers.

“Jonathan realized after the terrorist attacks that he needed to do his part,” Lussi said. “We have the ability to drive to Texas or vote at the polls or put our kids in any school we want. It’s great to have that kind of freedom, but that freedom comes with a price. You’re looking at that price here today.”

At the conclusion of the funeral home ceremony, mourners listened to John Michael Montgomery’s “Letters from Home,” a country song about a father writing to his soldier son.

“This really hits home for us,” said Ronnie Pugh, a coworker of the fallen Marine’s father, Garry Smith. Pugh’s own son recently returned from a tour in Iraq with the Marines.

“I just can’t imagine what it must be like for a parent to go through something like this,” Pugh said.

Smith was buried with full military honors at Cullman Heritage Cemetery, and his parents were presented with a Purple Heart and American flag.

Lawrence Larry Sepanski, state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for the state of Alabama, was among the numerous strangers paying tribute to Smith.

“I’m here honoring one of our fallen comrades,” Sepanski said. “We try to make it to as many services for fallen Alabama comrades as we can. Attending these services seems like the least we can do.”

— Associated Press