Soldier remembered for putting others first, and for 'mischief'

BETHEL, Maine—A 22-year-old soldier killed in Iraq has been laid to rest with full military honors in Bethel.

Army Pvt. Tyler J. Smith was remembered Monday for service to country and dedication to his fellow soldiers. About 300 people, including Smith's wife, Heather Bolstridge Smith of Fort Stewart, Ga., attended along with other family and friends. Also in attendance were Gov. John Baldacci and Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.

Maj. Gen. John W. Libby, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard, shared some words from Smith's base commander. He says Lt. Col. Timothy Newsome described Smith as living life with gusto and having a "strong taste for mischief."

He says one of his first meetings with Smith on the base was when the young soldier was called into his office for riding a skateboard being pulled by a pickup truck through base housing. But he also says Smith was a soldier who put the interest and welfare of others ahead of himself.

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Information from: Sun-Journal, http://www.sunjournal.com