Kevin Joseph Smith

West Point, 2002

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Uncle Dave Lowe on December 3, 2007:

December 8, 2005 - December 8, 2007 770 days…it may seem like a long time to some people, but to me it is just an instant. I remember where I was, what I was doing, even what is was thinking that morning. There were several loud explosions in the distance. I closed my eyes to say a short, silent prayer. I had done this many times previously. I would simply ask that God protect those involved in the incident; if there was anyone wounded for their healing, if there was any killed, peace for their family. This had become routine, almost a ritual for me. It was a reflex reaction to hearing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) aka roadside bomb going off. After a while you can tell the difference between them, a mortar, or rocket explosion. But now it was time to go back to work, there where places to go and things to be done. Another typical contractor half-day in Iraq…you pick which of the 12 hours that day that you are going bust your butt. There is little time to rest. I made my way to chow and looked forward to another boring night in my hooch. After a cold shower (always cold in the winter and hot in the summer) I needed to get to some rest. I was not feeling too well and figured tomorrow would be a bad day. I never had any idea just how bad the next day would turn out. The day started out as usual; breakfast at DFAC and a 15 minute walk to work. I was not a bad way to get going. The food was good and there was plenty of it. Hell, I had gained 10 pounds in the past 2 months. The walk helped me to burn some calories, clear my mind, and get ready for the day ahead. My voice mail message was flashing on the phone and I was hoping someone from home had called to say "hi". I hurriedly dialed the voice mail system. In an instant my optimism turned to grief. My nephew Kevin "KJ" Smith had been killed by an IED. My heart fell and my eyes swelled with tears. I immediately knew that my silent prayer yesterday had been intended for my own family. This hurt. I prayed it wasn't true, but it was. I was numb and in shock. Kevin was a 28-year old West Point graduate and 2nd Lieutenant with the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division. He had 40 days left in his tour and then he would return home to marry his fiancé and start a new chapter in his life. But this was not meant to be. He was an amazing young man. He was a self-made man who overcame every obstacle necessary to achieve his goal. I loved him like a son and would have gladly given my life for his. He was everything good in this world. How could this happen? Why now? I had just been with Kevin and his men four days earlier. Everything seemed perfect then, now everything was over. I attended Kevin's memorial service in Baghdad. It was truly moving. The love, respect and compassion his fellow soldiers showed is beyond anything I have ever experienced. This is the day that I learned what the word honor meant. In his hat Kevin carried a piece of paper with this written on it. "It doesn't matter what anybody says or does. You must be an impeccable man yourself. The fight is right here in this chest. It takes all the time and all the energy we have to conquer the idiocy in us. And that's what matters. The rest is of no importance. To be an impeccable warrior will give you vigor and youth and power. So, it is proper for you to choose wisely." – Carlos Castaneda "Remember no matter what, God will take care of you and get you through any situation…but also remember that hard work and effort never hurts your chances either." "A warrior takes everything as a challenge while and ordinary man makes everything either as blessing or as a curse." – Carlos Castaneda 4 ½ years of challenge…if you try/do your best at everything you do, you will always succeed. Kevin lived those mantras and his life was a reflection of his beliefs. He gave his life doing what he loved. He knew the risks and understood the danger. Those lucky enough to know him were moved by his passion and faith. He was, and is, a true hero. He is my hero and I am proud to have him as my nephew. I am writing this in his memory. I want to share Kevin with everyone I know and remember him with those who loved him. Plato said "Only the dead have seen the end of war." For those of you who are serving or have served to protect our country, thank you. For everyone else out there, please pray for the men, women and families of our military. Uncle Dave Lowe

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