Veteran of the Year a Marine
David Smith marched through the forests of Vietnam with other infantrymen when he toured with the Marines starting in 1965.
On Friday, 1st. Sgt. Smith will march with the Butler color guard down Main Street with dozens of other military veterans for the city’s annual Veterans Day parade.
Smith will be recognized as Butler County’s 2022 Veteran of the Year — an honor he called one of the biggest in his life. However, the duties he performs — driving for VA Butler Healthcare are an honor he takes pride in every day.
“Being recognized as veteran of the year exceeds anything prior to this,” said Smith, of Evans City. “For me, working at the VA is one of the best things that ever happened to me … I make a point to talk to all the veterans I drive, and I consider it an honor.”
According to Sam Zurzolo, who is also a Marine Corps veteran and a Butler Township commissioner, the Butler VA selects the Veteran of the Year based not only on their military service, but on what the veteran does following their service.
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