Herbert J. Smith

West Point, 1965

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Carrie (Smith) Nosal & Peter H. Smith on April 30, 2015:

Eulogy for our Dad, Herbert J Smith III (May 27, 1941-May 4, 2010) by Carrie Smith Nosal & Peter Smith We have all come together to remember LTC Herbert J. Smith the III, our Dad, Herb, Herbie, Herbmeister, Uncle Herbie & Bumpa. If I know my father I am sure you have heard of us and have heard of our life's escapades from our father. Our father was a great storyteller. The fact that you are all here from near and far probably means you have made a few stories with our father. Thank you for coming. It was always easy to read in his eyes the pride and legacy of a glorious military tradition, of duty, honor and country from his journey from the West Point Military Academy through Vietnam though supporting the US Military in the charge America Leads today and finally in the biggest fight of his life against cancer. As we sit here today you were a part of his legacy either as his Class Mate, his family and friends that wondered if he would come home safe from Vietnam or win his battle with cancer, a colleague from the Pentagon or a friend. So, How do you tell the story of a man who has done so many much; where to begin... Herbert J. Smith the III from humble beginnings in the beautiful resort town of Houghton Lake Michigan. Was the son of Helen and Herbert J. Smith Jr. and brother to Shirley Bismark. For the most part a normal youth--your know---Captain of the Football Team, President of his Class. He thought big and fought for what he believed in. We always knew he was a fighter, but until recently we didn't know he was a fighter from the very beginning. We found a picture of our Dad as a baby at 6 months old with a huge set of boxing gloves on his hands. He was ready to face the world with that twinkle in his eye (you know the one) and a big smile as if to say---"Lets go world, I'm ready for you!" Ready he was....after highschool he attended Ferris College to be a Pharmasict. But as with most things he had other plans, bigger plans---West Point Military Academy. He was accepted in 1961 and graduated in 1965. I am sure he learned many things at West Point, but the one thing that resonated was always DUTY, HONOR and COUNTRY. Our father was so proud of his Alma Mater. As a matter of fact many of his classmates are here with us today. While at West Point he was introduced to our Mom, Jan. He graduated, they married and shortly there after sent to Vietnam. In his career of over two decades with the US Military, we traveled the world and experienced with him many different cultures. When he retired he formed his company HJS International & Associates. His company's goal was to continue supporting US Military Affairs. Even through the last weeks of his life he was actively operating HJSI. One of our Dad's Best attributes was the ability to love deeply and unconditionally. This year marked his 23rd wedding Anniversary to Carole. One of the things we admire about our father is his love and commitment for her. He was committed to making her HAPPY. If it was important to her, it BECAME important to him. He would never let her forget how much he loved her---every month he would celebrate their anniversary with flowers----the bouquet would consist of a flower for each year as well as one for each month of the current year. There were always flowers in their home! They truly made each other happy. During his last days, his only concern was for her well- being, and not his own impending mortality. His concern extended to those outside of his family as well, willing to help others in any way he could, almost to a fault. He would talk to everybody and everybody would talk to him, even if he didn't want them to. He was the kind of guy who, standing in a supermarket line, the person next to him would tell him their whole life story and he would listen. He was a patriot through and through---In his neighborhood in Potomac Falls each Veteran's day he would be invited to a speak to the neighbor children about what it meant to be a Veteran year after year. He would bring his uniform and his medals and have great discussions. His commitment of DUTY, HONOR and COUNTRY absorbed his life through our childhood, but as he transitioned to civilian life with Carole and then with his grandchildren the true man, the teddy bear, was revealed. If you're here today, that means that he touched your life in some way. We will all miss his stories, his jokes, his company. We will miss his temper, his stubborn ways, and his desk that was only organized in ways visible to him. We will miss our father, the man who helped shape us. The man who showed us, "if you don't try, you will never know what could have been...." He was a man of integrity. Whenever we stumbled, he could have accepted our moaning and advise us to take the easy way out and quit. But he'd have none of THAT. He fully expected us to see things through, all the way to the end without drama. If nothing else said, he always ended on a positive note...he would say "It could always be worse". Positive to the End. In the end I think he taught us the best lesson of all....as we watched the shadow of a man, our father, fight to the bitter end against cancer...the lesson was, Family is worth fighting for. Remember him for his smile, his distinguishing authoritative voice, and the luminous, charismatic, confident gaze of a great soldier, a leader, and a fighter. Dad we are rightly proud for what you have done for us all, as a military leader, as a friend, a husband and father, in one word, as a man. And always remember...it could always be worse.

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