Posted by Andrew Smith on April 7, 2014:

I remember very little of my granddad, but that which I can remember of him has remained vivid in my mind through the years. He died when I was eight years old. I saw him fairly frequently as he was living in northern Virginia and I would go with my mother to visit him there. I grew up in Maryland and I am the son of his oldest daughter, Margaret (Peggy). I wish very much that I could recall all of the things he said to me and the conversations we had. I wish I was more aware and appreciative of his military accomplishments then. I mostly remember playing with his dog, Jim, a collie, and also playing with his incredible collection of vintage G.I. Joe figures. They were the over sized action figures that actually fired tiny plastic projectiles across the room. Not at all acceptable by today's safety standards. But those were some of my strongest memories. I remember him as a quiet man, but engaging. Warm yet stern. And the pleasant aroma of pipe tobacco reminds me of him. I have spent the last 19 years on active duty in the U.S. Army. Most of that time as a "combat cameraman" in the Signal Corps, MOS:25V. Nearly half of my time has been on active jump status and I'm proud of my time in the 2/505PIR, 82D ABN. It helps me feel connected to him, my granddad, COL Simpson. I am honored and deeply humbled to have been able to call him my granddad. It gives me goosebumps, tears and smiles to read the incredible stories and kind words that people have told about him and left for him. Thank you! SFC Andrew M. Smith

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