Our walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Army PVT2 Caleb Smither, Age 19 of Lubbock, TX.
Died Jan. 15, 2020
Caleb was a member of Turning Point Community Church and active in many youth events and ministries. He was loved and adored by his church community and fellow students for his gentle spirit and steadfast friendship to all who knew him.
Caleb graduated from Frenship High School and participated in various athletics including football and track. Caleb’s life-long desire was realized when he enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 28, 2019, and following graduation he entered basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. There, PV2 Smither completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training where he graduated 91L Construction Equipment Repair School. While attending this course he was awarded the Leadership and Iron Soldier Awards. PV2 Smither was then prestigiously awarded his “jump wings” after attending Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Caleb’s current active duty station was Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was awaiting his successful career within the 82nd Airborne Division.
Pvt. Caleb Smither had been at Fort Bragg for just over seven weeks when he was found dead in his barracks room in Jan. 2020. He’d been ordered to remain in his room to rest, but nobody came to check on him until it was too late.
On the afternoon of Jan. 21, 2020, Pvt. Caleb Smither was found dead in his barracks room at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Smither was assigned to the maintenance platoon of the 37th Brigade Engineer Battalion, part of the 82nd Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Just 19 years old, Smither had been at Fort Bragg for a little over seven weeks.
Smither grew up in Wolfforth, a small town outside of Lubbock, Texas. He ran track, liked camping and archery, and wanted to become a paratrooper. On his arm he got a tattoo reading “Amat Victoria Curam,” Latin for “victory loves preparation.”
“He was like everybody’s brother,” said Smither’s mother, Heather Baker. “He was just always so determined to show how strong he was.”
We had a great 8.37 Mile walk today. We headed out early this morning before the sun came up. We headed up town and then headed west on 4th Street. We then went back south and turned back towards town on Stanley Street. We cut over and walked by the Hospital before heading to the War Memorial Park down town. What a beautiful sunrise we had. We had a great view from the Water Tower Hill their on 127. After leaving the Park we made a stop at the Frost Cemetery to visit with a few of our Fallen Brothers before heading home. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping us honor this Fallen Hero. We had 149 honks today. It was amazing. Thank You.
Army PVT2 Caleb Smither will not be forgotten !
