Kevin Joseph Smith

West Point, 2002

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Dan Heidel on October 27, 2009:

A long time has passed and I wanted to see where some of the old Crusaders were. I found this list of "Lost Classmates" and, with hesitation, clicked the link. I saw your name. I don't know what to say. West Point seems an age and a life ago, but I still remember walking into your room (it must have been in Pershing that year) and seeing you turn to face me in your chair. You'd make some quiet joke then crack that smile of yours. Always the smile - warm, kind, welcoming. Now, years later, I see your face again and all at once I am heartbroken and inspired. It's all caught up in my throat and I don't know how to lay it out in words. I'm a parent now and I've read your parents' eulogies, and I can't even begin to fathom how difficult that must be for a parent. At the same time, I know how dedicated you were as a cadet, I can see how courageous you were as an officer, and I know that this kind of character shines in the midst of a chaotic world that so desperately needs heroes like you. You stood for what was Good. Over the last couple of years, your parents penned their sorrows on this page. But, over the decades, they must have also written their Goodness and Virtue upon your soul. They raised you to be the man you became. Their hearts must be brimming with pride! Thank you, Kevin and many, many thanks to your parents. God bless you and God keep those who loved you. Your course on earth is run... but, Kev, say a word of prayer to the Big Man for those of us with work yet to do! Go 'Saders! -Dan

admin