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Kimberly Houk reporting A Utah family is saying good-bye to their fallen hero.
A farewell filled with many happy memories of the young marine who was killed in a helicopter crash last week in Iraq.
Corporal Matthew Reed Smith was remembered today as the Marine who couldn't wait to serve his country. He was only 24.
He arrived in Iraq just months ago, and spent most of his time fighting the uprising insurgency in Fallejah.
He was on his way to another part of Iraq where he was going to help secure to the country for the upcoming elections, when the helicopter he was riding in got caught in a sandstorm and crashed. All 31 military people on board died.
Today, Smith's family, friends, and his community of West Valley City said good bye to a fallen hero.
Colleen Parkin, Mother: “I know matt is here. He will always live in our hearts."
Cpl. Brian Johnston, Best Friend: "He had a demeanor about him that made you want to keep going when you wanted to quit- when something was tough, he was always there."
The family is asking others to help them remember their son by donating blood to the American Red Cross.
