Patrick R. Smith

West Point, 1963

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Brig. Gen. R.M. Ong (Ret) on May 28, 2019:

Memorial Day 2019 is a good time to remember my classmate, Fr. Patrick R. Smith. Pat and I belonged to different Regiments -- and our barracks were far from each other -- but we met each other through our membership in the Cardinal Newman Forum, a social club for Catholic Cadets. I observed him to be a really religious person. We also attended daily Mass at the Catholic Chapel, although I did so only during Plebe Year, to take advantage of the "Late Breakfast" privilege, wherein Plebes could eat a quick breakfast without being harrassed by upperclassmen. I think Pat maintained that daily Mass ritual for the duration of his 4-year stay at West Point, and at every opportunity after graduation. Some West Pointers become religious ministers, after their military service -- and Pat was not the only classmate to do so -- but I was surprised to learn that he became a Catholic Priest at the ripe old age of 62. Well, better late than never, and I'm sure Fr. Pat made up for lost time by administering to his fellow parishioners and to the senior citizens of the Catholic community. When it is my time to go to the great beyond, I hope that Fr. Pat will be one of the first ones to greet me in the next life. And now, my final salute to a great classmate, a fine Christian and a holy man. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam! Ray Brigadier General Ramon M. Ong (Retired) Armed Forces of the Philippines

admin