Military Honors are absolutely appropriate, but ONLY due to this young man's ROTC connection. What would seem most fitting would be a posthumously awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom or Congressional Gold Medal--these being our nation's highest civilian awards.

In the case of the Congressional Gold Medal: It is awarded to people "who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after the achievement". I would venture that Mr. Howell being remembered for selflessly laying down his young life to protect strangers in the face of terror absolutely fits those parameters.