Kevin Joseph Smith

West Point, 2002

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Dick Dumford on May 23, 2008:

I am one of the civilian personnel (USAID) who was provided Baghdad convoy coverage by 1LT Kevin Smith and his compatriots. Although I was not on the ill-fated trip during which Kevin was lost, he and his team had taken me on many previous occasions into the Red Zone. I attended his eulogy on the evening of 11 December 2005, and since that day, his Memorial has hung on the wall of my office in Baghdad, as a constant visible reminder of the sacrifice made by so many of our finest young people carrying out their duty to our country. Things do indeed seem to be getting better here now, and it is the result of the efforts of America's finest, such as LT Kevin Smith, who have made it happen. I was looking at his picture today, and as the tears came to my eyes I thought he personally should be remembered this Memorial Day weekend 2008, 2 1/2 years after his life ended so tragically in that convoy. I had never known about this eulogy page, but I am so glad to have found it and I sincerely thank the volunteers who keep it operating. I know that no words can replace the loss of our loved ones, but I wanted the LT's family to know he is still remembered and mourned here in Baghdad by those of us who knew him. Kevin was a strong commander and a concerned and responsible officer. He did his duty, guarding the safety of those of us who travelled with him in a truly professional and dedicated manner. I was proud to know him, and if his loved ones read this, take comfort in the knowledge that he carried the proud traditions of America's soldiers in his manner and his responsible carrying out of his orders. I have often thought of the tragedy to his family, and especially his fiancee, his untimely death brought them. I still shed a tear for him and for them when I think about his loss. His memory is one of the reasons I have stayed in this place, to keep trying to bring it to peace, so Kevin and the other soldiers will not have died in vain. It seems to be beginning to work, and we can only pray it will continue to improve. LT Kevin Smith will always be remembered with pride by those of us who knew him. Dick Dumford, Senior energy Advisor, USAID/Iraq Baghdad IZ

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