[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6063-6064]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DAVID E. SMITH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 1999

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to recognize the 
accomplishments of a man who has made it his life's work to protect and 
defend human dignity, and to ensure the safety of our shores, for our 
citizens and our children. On April 23, friends and family will gather 
to honor the career of State Commander David E. Smith, for a lifetime 
of service, including more than 20 years as a member of the Disabled 
American Veterans.
  A lifetime resident of Michigan, David Smith's introduction to the 
United States Armed Forces began with his grandfather, who served in 
World War I, and his father, Earl, who served in World War II. Upon 
completion of his tour of duty, the elder Mr. Smith moved his family to 
Christmas, Michigan, and later Mount Morris, in the Flint area. Mr. 
Smith enlisted in the United States Army on June 20, 1960, and served 
for six years, three of which were in Germany as a member of the 7th 
Army. He also served with the 1st Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas, 
and the 1st Army at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. During this time, he 
rose to the rank of Sergeant.
  In May of 1966, Sergeant Smith was medically discharged with service 
connected disability, however has continued to serve his country as he 
worked for the Department of the Army in Dover, New Jersey, before 
returning to Michigan in 1967. He began a career with general motors, 
which spaned three years before his disability prevented him from 
continuing. Showing determination to excel despite his disability, Mr. 
Smith and his family

[[Page 6064]]

moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to be close to VA physicians. Mr. Smith 
began a new career, one that lasted five years until his disability 
rating was upgraded to 100% and he was ordered to cease working 
altogether.
  In July of 1974, Mr. Smith joined the Disabled American Veterans as a 
like member. He began regularly attending DAV meetings in the fall of 
1983. His regular attendance of Chapter Service Officer trainings 
prepared him for his future roles as Chapter Adjutant, Treasurer, and 
Service Officer. For three years, Mr. Smith served as Chapter 
Commander, and has held every statewide Vice-Commander positions, prior 
to his current position as State Commander. He has been honored as 
Chapter Service Officer of the Year on five separate occasions, and was 
recognized as Michigan Disabled Veteran of the Year in 1990.
  Mr. Speaker, as we owe much to our nation's veterans, Commander David 
Smith has acknowledged the fact that his accomplishments would not have 
been possible without support from his wife Peggy, and his children, 
all of whom, are veterans as well. I ask my colleagues in the 106th 
Congress to join me in congratulating him for this dedication and 
perseverance.

                          ____________________