Pyrotechnician gets ‘last shot’ at show

updated 5:57 p.m. ET July 3, 2008

INDIANAPOLIS - One of the fireworks bursting above Indianapolis for the 4th of July fireworks will include the cremated remains of Meredith Smith. He ran the annual event for 40 years before dying earlier this year.

About a half-teaspoon of his ashes will be in a fireworks shell that will create a white burst in the sky for the finale of the show.

Kevin Moss said he can't think of a better to way to honor his friend.

Hundreds of T-shirts referring to the tribute as the "the last shot" are expected to be worn during the show.

Smith, a school maintenance worker, was a trained pyrotechnician. His widow said they started the fireworks shows as a community service and sometimes paid for the shows themselves.

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