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News Specialist Jed Boal reportingA fallen Utah soldier was honored today by his community.
Chief Warrant Officer John Daren Smith was killed a week ago when the Black Hawk Heliocopter he was piloting crashed in the Kuwaiti desert.
Hundreds of people gathered in West Jordan to pay their respects to Daren Smith. The 32-year-old Army pilot was killed on a nighttime training mission in a driving sandstorm, among the American soldiers poised for an attack on Iraq.
His family says he died doing what he loved most, flying.
Hundreds of flags lined 27th West to honor a Utahn who took to the sky to for Enduring Freedom. Friends say the 1989 Taylorsville High graduate had a great sense of humor, and charisma. He was a rock climber, a skier and a devoted husband and father.
Smith married his high school sweetheart. Meredith Smith says her husband was committed to the mission.
Meredith Smith/Widow: "THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES IT EASIER FOR ME...KNOWING THAT'S WHERE HE WANTED TO BE, AND HE BELIEVED STRONGLY IN WHAT HE WAS DOING. HE WAS HAPPY. HE JUST WANTED IN AND GET THE JOB DONE AND COME HOME TO US."
Smith grew up flying with his dad. It became his lifelong passion
Meredith Smith/Widow: "IT'S JUST SOMETHING HE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO. AND IF HE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING, HE DID IT."
8-year-old Kiara will remember her father's dreams and his priorities.
Kiara Smith/Daughter: "HE REALLY WANTED TO FLY AIRPLANES...AND US."
Smith's closest friend says the pilot may have joined the army because of his love of flying. But, his love of country became just as important during his service.
"Mike Lamoreaux/Smith's Friend: HE REALLY LEARNED TO BE A DEDICATED PATRIOT AND SOLDIER. HE WANTED NOTHING MORE THAN TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOM."
Smith's friends say he had a way of drawing people to him. Everyone always wanted to get closer to Daren. Smith's family will remember him as a caring man who excelled in every endeavor.
"Mike Lamoreaux/Smith's Friend: HE WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS FAMILY...THEY WERE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO HIM IN THE WORLD."
The Chief Warrant Officer was stationed in Aviano, Italy, before he was deployed to Kuwait.
The Army is investigating the crash which killed all four soldiers aboard.
