Mourners line up for diplomat’s funeral

Several hundred mourners are filing into a church in River Forest for the funeral of a young U.S. diplomat killed while delivering textbooks in southern Afghanistan.

The funeral Mass for Anne Smedinghoff is being held Wednesday morning at St. Luke Church in River Forest. White ribbons are tied around trees and lampposts for many blocks surrounding the church.

Annette Fritts, a friend of the diplomat’s mother, is among the mourners. She says the young woman’s death came as a big shock to everyone. Others are remembering her as tireless, selfless, inspiring and brave.

The 25-year-old Smedinghoff and four other Americans were killed while walking from a military base to a nearby school. Two explosions occurred, apparently a suicide car bombing followed by a roadside blast.