Protector of the flock

Image courtesy: Frederick News-Post

David Smith is a common name. Volunteering to serve your country in a war zone, which Sgt. David Smith did as the Iraq war was heating up in 2003, is decidedly uncommon. As those who knew him best explained, the Marine felt it was his duty to protect the less strong and fortunate, even if it was thousands of miles from home.

Sgt. Smith, who died on January 26 in Germany, was injured three days prior in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. The suicide bombing also killed Lance Cpl. Jeremy Kane and Petty Officer 2nd Class Xin Qi.

According to the Frederick News-Post, Smith had already served a tour in Iraq in 2006. The newspaper reports that the Marine reservist was studying logistics and distribution at East Carolina University when he was called back up to serve in Afghanistan. The 25-year-old sports lover, who hailed from Frederick, Maryland, is pictured above with his girlfriend, Kimberly Mott, who he met at ECU.

Smith had a penchant for helping others, which he demonstrated even after his death. After the Marine passed away in Germany, his parents informed the military that his organs would be donated to those in need. Smith's family is also asking that any contributions be made in the fallen Marine's name to the Wounded Warrior Project, one of America's finest charities.

Washington, D.C. Fox affiliate WTTG-TV spoke with the fallen Marine's sister, Kristen Forse, who shared a touching moment from her brother's return to the country he loved on Sunday.

"As cheesy as it sounds," Forse shared with the station, "we were getting ready to start the service at Dover and this flock of white birds just appeared out of nowhere and just flew over the plane in perfect formation and as soon as they had flown over his plane they were gone. And the plane was purple and yellow, which was his Eastern Carolina University colors. It was just too many coincidences for him not to have been there with us."

Sgt. David Smith will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, alongside Iraq and Afghanistan heroes like Maj. Megan McClung and Staff Sgt. Thaddeus Montgomery, on February 9.