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 commanders of the various veterans organizations’ posts choose an honoree based on nominations.
Zurzolo said it was likely Smith’s dedication to driving for the Butler VA that edged him toward being selected as Veteran of the Year.
“Since he moved in he has been very active, very active with Marine Corps League, very involved with the VA,” Zurzolo said. “He really cares about the veterans.”
Smith enlisted in the Marines in 1965 at age 16, while he was living in Connecticut. He went through boot camp and quickly shipped off to Vietnam, where he met some of his best friends.
Now, Smith is the commandant of the Bantam Marine Detachment 743 of the Marine Corps League. He is also an elected official for the Election Board of Butler County.
Smith said Veterans Day is often a day of reflection for him, because he lost many friends in combat during his two tours in Vietnam.
“I was the grunt; I was infantry and took patrols out, a platoon commander for weapons,” he said. “What comes to my mind (on Veterans Day) is the men who were lost in Vietnam. We walked into an ambush, and more than half of the people in the company got killed.”
Smith, a two-time Purple Heart recipient, said these memories have never left him, and the resulting emotions can be difficult to cope with when they arise in his mind.
“We can relate to losing someone you care about. You never know when you're going to lose a friend,” Smith said. “It's depression or PTSD, whatever you want to call it. Maybe a noise or sound or smell will trigger it. New Year’s, I don't like celebrating because that's when my friend was killed.”
Despite sometimes suffering from emotions tied to his military memories, Smith said sharing them with other people who can understand — other veterans — is what helps him cope on a daily basis.
Smith said one reason he continues to drive veterans for the VA is to get the opportunity to speak with them about their service.
“I have several veterans that have my cellphone that call me when I want to talk. We get along well because I can relate to them,” Smith said. “We need something that will not make us forget, but just help us. Sometimes just talking to another vet will do that.”
Zurzolo said Smith deserves his honor as Veteran of the Year, because he takes the time to help other veterans whenever he can.
“He’s a good all-around community man,” Zurzolo said. “He cares and he's sincere. We couldn't have picked someone better.”
For Smith, the true honor comes from passing along thanks to other people who served. He said he looks forward to speaking with other veterans on Friday.
“I am so proud to be a veteran,” Smith said. “Tell people not to forget the veterans; buy them a cup of coffee; do something. Let them know they're still loved.”
The Butler Veterans Day parade will begin at 10:40 a.m. on the north end of Main Street. The lineup will proceed to Diamond Park.
