Benedict Joseph Smith

West Point, 1999

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Samara (Ballard) Hemmer on November 16, 2003:

My deepest sympathy and prayers go to Ben's family and friends. Ben was a friend of mine from school. Although I hadn't seen him since graduation, I was surprised to receive a phone call from him in July. I am currently deployed with the 4th Infantry Division and am in Tikrit, Iraq. Ben had heard that I was down here and needed me to track down a soldier for him. It was great to talk with him and I am always amazed at how you can find friends when you're so far away from home. We have a lot of soldiers' losing their lives over here on a weekly basis. Each time, the pain is just as great, but when it's a friend, it truly hits you hard. The only comfort I can offer is that Ben was doing his job and serving his family and his nation. I continually remind myself of what GEN Abizaid said to me when he was here visiting a few months ago, and what I've heard he tells all of his soldiers, "We'd rather fight them here, than fight them at home." And that's the best that a soldier can do. Fight the enemies of our freedoms and liberties here and allow our families to live free of the terror that these evil people try to inflict upon us. Ben will forever be remembered by those of us who were blessed enough to know him. I know that he is with his Lord and Savior now and there is nothing more that we can ask. Captain Samara (Ballard) Hemmer USMA 1999

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