Requiem Aeternam

PFC Zachary T. Myers
US Army
Age 21
Bahji, Salah Ad Din, Iraq
Hostile fire―hostile attack―IED attack
Delaware, Ohio
DOB: 9/23/87
DOD: 9/8/09
Obit: Zachary T. Myers, 21, of Delaware, was killed in action on September 8, 2009, while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Zach was born to Jerry Myers and Tonya J. (Mooney) Latto on September 23, 1987, and was preceded in death by his grandfather Jack Myers. Survivors include his parents, Jerry (Penny) Myers and Tonya Latto; wife, Megan (Daugherty) Myers; daughter, Rowen Neyla Myers; brothers, Jeff (Bobbi) Price and Vaughn Ryan Myers; mother and father-in-law, Ernie and Nancy Daugherty; brothers-in-law, Eric and Alex Daugherty; grandparents, Beulah Myers, James and Lona Mooney, Eldon and Jan Powell; great-grandmother, Frieda Leonard; Godmother, Maggie Garrison; many aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends including his beloved dog, Gixxxer. Zach honorably served his country as a member of the 545th Military Police Company based in Fort Richardson, Alaska. Zach's company was deployed on May 26, 2009, to Bahji, Iraq. Zach enjoyed working on cars, riding his motorcycle, offroading and was a member of Ohio Customs, Ohio Riders, North American Grand Cherokee Association, Denali Offroad Club and Alaska 4x4. He also enjoyed playing the guitar. Visitation will be held on Friday, September, 18, 2009, 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Vineyard Church of Columbus, 6000 Cooper Road, Westerville, Oh. 43081. Full Military Honors will be rendered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September, 19, 2009, at Vineyard Church of Columbus. Interment will follow at Blendon Cemetery, Westerville, Oh. NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, NE CHAPEL, 3047 East Dublin-Granville, Road, Columbus, Oh. is honored to serve the Myers family.*

SSGT Shannon M. Smith
US Army
Age 31
Bahji, Salah Ad Din, Iraq
Hostile fire―hostile attack―IED attack
Marion, Ohio
DOB: 4/14/78
DOD: 9/8/09
He was born on Friday April 14, 1978 in Columbus to James R. and Debbie R (Coleman) Smith Jr. of Cardington. He was a student of the Big Walnut School system until his freshman year and was a member of the football, baseball and wrestling teams. Shannon graduated from Marion Harding High School in 1997. While at Harding he excelled in wrestling and also was a National Qualifier for the Greco Roman freestyle wrestling team. A member of the 545th MP Co, stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska, he was deployed to Iraq in May. A trained sniper, he had been awarded numerous citations and decorations including: The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraq and Kosovo Campaign Medals. He entered the Army in 1997 and became a Team Leader of the 178th Military Police Company. He conducted several missions supporting the Secret Service Tac Team and Sniper Team with the President of the United States. He performed as a Team Leader and Counter Sniper in Iraq for the 89th MP, completing over 500 protection missions in a combat environment. SSG Smith also served as a Special Reactions Team, Protective Services, and High Risk Personnel Course Instructor training hundreds of Officers and other personnel annually. He was proudly selected as the Battle Field Hero for the 545th MP Co at the Nation Training Center at Ft Irwin, CA. As a squad leader he constantly challenged his team, serving as a coach and mentor. “Though he didn’t like war, he knew it was his job to protect his country and all it stood for. He did his best every day to see to it that the loved ones he left at home were safe…..Freedom isn’t Free.” Shannon enjoyed fishing and hunting deer with a compound bow. He was happiest guiding others and cheering for his beloved OSU Buckeyes. Always active he loved a challenge. He was one of devotion, a man of integrity, who always gave 110% at every endeavor. Kind hearted as well as fun loving he was the constant jokester, who was genuine to the core.

Survived By: In addition to his parents he is also survived by his wife: Cassie (McGuire) with whom he treasured spending time with. Together they enjoyed sightseeing, hiking, canoeing, and photographing Alaska. He will also be missed by one son: Steven Michael Abbott, one brother: Cory, one sister: Kristi Smith, grandparents: JR Smith, Betty Coleman, great-grandmother: Myrtle Smith, parents-in-law: Heidi Worcester, Dan McGuire, numerous friends including: Evan Taylor, Honor Guard Escort CPT Matt McCreary, and his beloved Aussie: Alyseka

Funeral Services: DeVore-Snyder Funeral Home in Sunbury is handling the arrangements. Funeral services will be Friday September 18th, 2009 at 1 p.m. at the Genoa Baptist Church 7562 Lewis Center Road at State Route 3 in Westerville with his grandfather: JR Smith and General David Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in Berkshire Cemetery with full military honors and escort provided by the Patriot Guard Riders. Friends may call Wednesday September 16th, 2009 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Thursday September 17th, 2009 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Cystic Fibrosis 740 Lakeview Plaza Blvd Suite 225 Worthington Ohio 43085 or www.cff.org. **

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PFC Myers' funeral was several hours ago, SSGT Smith's a day. But that doesn't prevent anyone from praying for the repose of their souls and for the other members of the military, both overseas and here on the continent. Thank you, gentlemen, for protecting your country.

In paradisum deducant te Angeli;
in tuo adventu suscipiant te martyres,
et perducant te in civitatem sanctam Ierusalem.
Chorus angelorum te suscipiat,
et cum Lazaro quondam paupere æternam habeas requiem.

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*Obituary citation here.

**Obituary citation here.