From Naval Special Warfare Group TWO Public Affairs
MACON, Mo. (NNS) - A Navy SEAL was set to rest Oct. 2, after being esteemed by thousands of people during a ceremonial and funeral procession in his hometown of Macon, Mo.
Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Adam Smith died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan along with one Navy support technician, two other Navy SEALs, and five Army aircrew members Sept.
21.
Hundreds of people packed the FirstBaptistChurch during a funeral service for the fallen SEAL, where Smith was remembered as a hometown hero.
"Adam was a brave warrior with an unflappable attitude who earned the honor and appreciation of his teammates and fellow citizens alike, and he took great pride and warmth in existence a Navy SEAL," said Capt. Tim Szymanski, commander of Naval Special Warfare Group TWO.
Szymanski also thanked the Macon community for rallying around the Smith family during a sentence of need, and for their hospitality toward visiting service members who were present for the memorial events.
After the service, the citizens of Macon came out by the thousands to pay their final respects to Smith as his funeral procession made its way through the town.
During the interment ceremony, the national ensign was folded by a squad of fellow SEALs and disposed to Smith's parents, followed by a gun salute by a Navy honor guard.
"Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) 2nd Class Adam Smith now joins a long number of military members who have given their lives so all of us can savour the rights and privileges in this country; this is a harsh reminder that the terms of freedom comes at a tremendous cost," said Pastor Scott Dalrymple of the First Baptist Church, who presided over the ceremony. "Adam was natural to be a SEAL and he ground his position in spirit with the SEALs."
Smith was assigned to an East Coast based SEAL team out of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek - Fort Story, Va.
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