Sergeant First Class Smith

On Monday, April 4th, 2005 at 3pm in the afternoon, President George W. Bush presented the Medal of Honor (posthumously) to Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith, B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Army.

Accepting this award was Paul's 11 year old son David, his daughter Jessica, and his wife Birgit. You can read about the Medal of Honor, about Sergeant Smith, and his and his soldiers' actions that day, at the Army's Official website.

I had the distinct honor of being invited by the family to bear witness to the ceremonies in Washington DC this past week. Here are some photos I took over the past few days.

Medal Presentation at the White House on April 4th at 3:00pm

Induction to the "Hall of Heroes" at the Pentagon on April 5th at 11:00am

Unveiling of Sgt Smith's headstone at Arlington National Cemetary on April 5th at 2:00pm

Reception at the Officers Club on Ft Myers on April 5th at 6:00pm

Miscellaneous pics taken at the the hotel

I'd like to thank the Smith family for allowing me to be there for such a momentous and solemn occasion. It was truly my honor just to stand in the same room as these people. After the reception at the White House, Paul's sister Lisa asked me how it felt to be there. Only one word came to mind. Small. I felt very, very, small.

And my thanks to Sergeant First Class Smith, for making the ultimate sacrifice to protect the lives of his soldiers and his fellow Americans.