Thanks for this article. It reminds us that guys like this are rare, that they were human, and that there is a face behind the story.
M
Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith
Sunday, May 4, 2003; Page A28
Born: Sept. 24, 1969, El Paso
Died: April 4, 2003, at the international airport in Baghdad
Background: Grew up in Tampa, graduated from Tampa Bay Technical High School. Joined the Army in October 1989. Served in Bosnia, Kosovo and the Persian Gulf War. Served in Iraq with 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart, Ga.
Survivors: His wife, Birgit Smith, Hinesville, Ga.; a son, David Anthony Smith; a daughter, Jessica Martha Smith; his parents, Donald and Janice Pvirre; a brother, Anthony Wayne Smith; two sisters, Lisa Kay DeVane and Cristina Smith; and a grandmother, Edna Spite.
Smith was honored, along with 33 fallen comrades from the 3rd Infantry Division, at a ceremony at Fort Stewart that included the reading of each soldier's name and the dedication of an eastern redbud tree as a living memorial to each of the fallen.
washingtonpost.com
A few pictures of Sgt. Smith
washingtonpost.com
sptimes.com
A picture of Mrs. Smith
ajc.com |
