Editor’s note: Butler Smith died in December after being struck by a vehicle while in his wheelchair. This article was written by Lisa Smartt about his military service in connection with Veteran’s Day, but it applies to military service in general. William Butler Smith was going to war. It wasn’t by choice. But it wasn’t unwillingly either. As a 24-year-old man, he was inducted into the Army of the United States. It was spring 1944. He trained at Ft. Bragg, N.C., and at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. After reaching the rank of Buck Sergeant, he marched from bivouac to Pier 52 in New York City. Red Skelton accompanied the troops as they marched. It was clearly understood many of the young soldiers would never again return to American soil. But they kept marching. It’s not that they were without fear. No. They were human. But they kept marching despite the fear. Duty bound, they boarded a ship headed for the shores of Belgium. Young men were getting ready to be involved in World War II. They could have never been fully prepared for what awaited them. William Butler Smith was a Tennessee country boy. Unlike some of his comrades, he was leaving a new family behind. A wife and three children were left to wait and wonder. The oldest child was 3 years old and the baby was only 6 months when Smith began his training. But he was confident his wife, Loreta, would keep the home fires burning. While caring for three small children, she wrote her soldier husband every day. ‘Baby Sylvia is walking now.’ ‘David is trying to understand why Daddy can’t be at home.’ ‘Nancy is growing prettier every day.’ It was all news Butler cared deeply about. The letters would be read and re-read. Though he was able to write his family, they never knew where he was. His younger brother was also serving on the front lines of the war effort, but they never saw each other. Almost two years after being inducted into the Army, William Butler Smith returned to New York City. The returning soldiers were regarded as heroes. If they went into an eating establishment, an ordinary citizen would often pay for their meal. But, the 24-year-old country boy who had joined the Army was not the 26-year-old man who returned to New York City. No. Now he was a man who had known war. Killing. Fighting. Bloody conflict. He had been a scout and part of his duty had included demolition clean-up after the Battle of the Bulge. He had seen and experienced things he had never imagined. His children were taught not to ask him about his time in the Army. Like many World War II veterans, he came home, worked a job, loved his family … and chose not to speak much about his time at war. If he did speak of it, it was just about funny things that happened or general information. William Butler Smith’s story is not unusual. He fought in World War II. He chose not to talk much about it. But Veteran’s Day reminded us to thank the thousands upon thousands of people like him. They marched into service despite the uncertainties which awaited them. At the time of his death, William Butler Smith and the love of his life, Loreta, had been married 66 years. Eulogy for a Veteran The time has come again that we pause for one day to pay tribute to the real heroes of our nation. Their lives were taken from them as they served our nation, giving us today a wonderful place to live. On Memorial Day we gather at the monument at the airport for no other reason than to bring a moment of tribute to our war dead. With the deepest of gratitude, we honor the memory of those heroes for their devoted service and their ultimate sacrifice for our nation. At the service Monday morning, Warren County honors the memory of those who offered their lives in the service of their country, who now have enrolled in that great spirit army whose footfalls cause no sound. Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there. I did not die. ‘ Author unknown Schedule Airport Memorial Day Program, Monday, May 26, 7 a.m. The program will be as follows: ‘ Opening Speaker ‘ Mayor Royce Davenport ‘ Program Emcee ‘ Charles Norton ‘ National Anthem ‘ Mary Kate Fisher ‘ Pledge of Allegiance ‘ Danny Rubley ‘ Memorial Prayer ‘ Steve Hillis ‘ Reading of the War Dead ‘ Ivy Hillis ‘ ‘Taps’ ‘ Mike Chilcutt
