Smith, a volunteer firefighter, died in a car crash in November while responding to an emergency call.

Dryer rang the bell in a time-honored code for fallen firefighters.

The 17-year-old Smith, a junior at Spotswood High School at the time of his death, had dreamed of one day becoming a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department. At the memorial service held Saturday in McGaheysville, that dream came true. 

Solemn Presentation

Firefighters from both volunteer and paid departments gathered for the 30-minute service, held just a few hours before a similar statewide event, the 12th annual Virginia Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Richmond.

Among those in attendance were representatives of the McGaheysville and Shenandoah volunteer fire companies - the two units Smith answered calls with.

Veteran firefighter Stan Aviles represented the New York City Fire Department.

Aviles presented Smith's parents, Crystal Smith, 35, of Elkton, and Roy Smith, 43, of Shenandoah, with their son's honorary membership in the New York City Fire Department.

A firefighter for 20 years, Aviles, 39, said he could not recall the honor going to any other fallen firefighter.

 Aviles traveled to the memorial service because of Smith's desire to one day work for New York's Bravest.

"There's no doubt that Roy would have made an outstanding officer," Aviles told the gathering at the McGaheysville service. "His loss is everyone's loss." 

Parents Grateful

The fallen firefighter's parents were grateful to his fellow firefighters for their support and also for the NYFD for bestowing the honor on their son.

"It's amazing that his dream is coming true," Crystal Smith said before the service.

Roy Smith said his son also had hopes of following in his footsteps in the military by joining the Marine Corps.

State Observance

After Saturday's local service, representatives of the McGaheysville and Shenandoah fire companies and members of Smith's family traveled to attend the state service for Smith and three other firefighters from around the state who died in the line of duty last year.

Smith's death was the first in the McGaheysville company's 44-year history, according to company officials.