Smith honored as Veteran of the Year
BUTLER TWP. — The 2022 Veteran of the Year said many others need recognition as well
David Smith was named the 2022 Veteran of the Year on Saturday at American Legion Post 778, 150 Memorial Drive.
Smith, who served in the Marines, told the crowd at the 44th annual Veteran of the Year luncheon that his fellow veterans also deserved recognition from their countrymen.
Smth accepted accolades and citations from elected officials including U.S. Rep Mike Kelly, R-16th; state Sen. Scott Hutchison, R-21st; state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th; Butler County Commissioners Leslie Osche, Kim Geyer and Kevin Boozel; and the Butler Township commissioners.
“Thank you, this means so much to be recognized,” said Smith, who was singled out for his active volunteering at the Butler VA Medical Clinic. “But, no offense, I didn’t do it to be recognized. I did it for our veterans. They need our help. They need to be talked to, to have their hands shaken.”
John Cyprian, of the Butler Area Veterans Committee which chooses the veteran of the year, praised Smith’s service both as a Marine and as a volunteer at the Butler Veterans Affairs medical clinic.
Cyprian said Smith served 34 years in the Marine Corps, both active duty and in the reserves. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam in which he was wounded twice.
Smith serves as first vice vommander of the American Legion post, as well as being commandant of the Bantam Marine Detachment 743 of the Marine Corps League.
Cyprian said Smith was an active volunteer at the Butler VA, where he serves on the VIP Committee assessing veterans and their needs, as well as driving veterans who need transportation.
When Smith heard the VA was having difficulty keeping drivers, four months ago he closed his consulting business to drive full time.
“I pick them up at their residences in Mercer, Clarion, Butler counties and take them to Abbie Abraham (VA medical clinic in Butler) or the University VA clinic in Pittsburgh,” he said after the luncheon.
In his acceptance speech, Smith said, “As I look at the room I see my brothers and sisters. Some of them need help. Some need someone to talk to.
“That’s what I do. I started driving, and I met some beautiful people. A lot of them have my cellphone number,” he said. “You know there are times when you want to talk to someone. That’s me.”
“This ceremony is one of my proudest moments. I had issues just like many veterans,” Smith said. “I still have them. They are residual. But better than talking to a therapist was talking to my veterans. Promise me one thing, people, if you see a veteran, don’t shy away from them.”
“Do something for them. Shake their hands, thank them for their service,” he said.
Before the introduction of the veteran of the year, there was POW/MIA ceremony featuring a single empty table and place setting.
“We are ever mindful that the sweetness of peace if bought with the bitterness of personal sacrifice, pain, deprivation and the imprisonment of our POWs and MIAs,” said Dennis Christie, a post member and Army veteran explaining the symbolism of the empty chair, inverted glass, salt, lemon, candle, American flag and red rose.
“The small table set for one symbolizes the people that are missing from our ranks,” said Christie. The white tablecloth symbolizes the purity of veterans’ motives who answered the call to serve; the lemon, the bitter fate of those captured or missing; the candle, the hope for their return; the salt, the tears of the missing’s loved ones; and the American flag honors the many veterans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“The ceremony symbolizes the POW/MIAs who never made it back. It’s symbolic of them being here with us. We recognize them before we start eating or any of the programs,” said Christie.
Christie added he was disappointed that the Veterans Parade in Butler was canceled this year because of Friday’s heavy rainfall.
“We never canceled the parade except during COVID, but Mother Nature won out,” he said.
Post members also called out the names of the past veterans of the year dating to 1979. A bell tolled and a red rose was placed in a vase when the name of a deceased veteran was called.
Kelly said events such as the one Saturday are important.
“What’s the old adage about in forgetting history, we are doomed to repeat it? It’s a way of paying respect to those who served, the sacrifice of the men and women who served to preserve our way of government,” he said.
Hutchison said he was proud to present Smith with a citation from the state Senate.
“You came back and continued to show love for our country, our community and our veterans. You are an outstanding example of what it means to be a humble servant and lover of American,” Hutchison said.
The Butler County Military Veterans Committee solicits candidates for the Veteran of the Year, who are voted on by all the commanders of veterans organizations in Butler County.
