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FF killed in Iraq
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Volunteer firefighter from Pa. killed in Iraq
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A volunteer firefighter inspired to join the
military following 9/11 was killed by an improvised explosive
device in Iraq on Sunday, his family said.
Army Spc. Tristan Smith, 23, of Bryn Athyn, was on patrol
northwest of Baghdad when he was killed, his father said Monday.
Smith joined the volunteer Bryn Athyn Fire Company at the age of
16. He quickly rose to lieutenant after becoming trained in
firefighting and emergency medical services.
Smith's father, Grant Smith, said his son had considered joining
the military while he was in high school, but the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks - and the deaths of firefighters in the World
Trade Center - drove him to enlist. He joined the Army in July 2004
after two years at Bryn Athyn College.
Kenneth Schauder, emergency medical services chief for the Bryn
Athyn Fire Company, said, "After Sept. 11, he knew what he needed
to do."
Smith said his son's experience in the military had made him
into a confident young man.
"He grew up. He really seemed sure of who he was and what he
wanted to do, looking forward to getting out and moving ahead with
his life," Smith said.
Smith said his son was fun-loving and enjoyed any kind of
outdoor activity.
After the family was notified of Tristan Smith's death, Schauder
lowered the flag to half-staff and hung black bunting at the
firehouse.
"He lived to be a firefighter," Schauder said.
In addition to his father, Tristan Smith is survived by his
mother, two sisters and a brother.
---
Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer,
http://www.philly.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Volunteer firefighter from Pa. killed in Iraq
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A volunteer firefighter inspired to join the
military following 9/11 was killed by an improvised explosive
device in Iraq on Sunday, his family said.
Army Spc. Tristan Smith, 23, of Bryn Athyn, was on patrol
northwest of Baghdad when he was killed, his father said Monday.
Smith joined the volunteer Bryn Athyn Fire Company at the age of
16. He quickly rose to lieutenant after becoming trained in
firefighting and emergency medical services.
Smith's father, Grant Smith, said his son had considered joining
the military while he was in high school, but the Sept. 11
terrorist attacks - and the deaths of firefighters in the World
Trade Center - drove him to enlist. He joined the Army in July 2004
after two years at Bryn Athyn College.
Kenneth Schauder, emergency medical services chief for the Bryn
Athyn Fire Company, said, "After Sept. 11, he knew what he needed
to do."
Smith said his son's experience in the military had made him
into a confident young man.
"He grew up. He really seemed sure of who he was and what he
wanted to do, looking forward to getting out and moving ahead with
his life," Smith said.
Smith said his son was fun-loving and enjoyed any kind of
outdoor activity.
After the family was notified of Tristan Smith's death, Schauder
lowered the flag to half-staff and hung black bunting at the
firehouse.
"He lived to be a firefighter," Schauder said.
In addition to his father, Tristan Smith is survived by his
mother, two sisters and a brother.
---
Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer,
http://www.philly.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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