Meet David

My name is Sgt. David Smith. I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and moved to Tennesee at a young age to live with my grandparents. I joined the Army because I love my country and wanted to have a better life. I joined the Army in 1983 and medically retired out in 2007. The Army became my father and I thrived and excelled in every way. Finally, I thought, I'm free, and I have broken the chains of abuse. I am somebody, I am a soldier. I am so proud to have served this great Nation for 22 years and it has been truly an honor for me.

I have had many jobs in the Army ranging from a unit armorer to a 50-cal gunner. I was deployed 7 times and my last deployment was in 2005 when I got injured last. First, I got stabbed in the heart area with a bayonet and had to have my liner repaired. I recovered from that even though the doctor said the liner repair will last only 5 years. In 2005, I was injured during an IED blast in Iraq near the city of Falujah. I suffered a closed head injury (TBI), upper and lower extremity injuries (spinal), and now I have been diagnosed with chronic PTSD and adjustment disorder. The nerves in both of my legs are severely damaged and at present, I am facing a surgery. At times, I have severe headaches that are so intense they leave me incapacitated. I have lost some hearing and vision and have constant ringing in my ears.

I still have the bullet in my upper right leg which I received while trying to save my best friend. The doctors have tried to remove it but it will give my worse problems. I was flown to Germany and Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and was in rehab for 8 months learning to walk again. Recently, times have been very hard on me, one bad thing after another. In my greatest hour of need, Operation Second Chance, lifted me up with dignity and respect; and gave me hope that I may have a brighter future in store. I would like to thank all of our service men and women for their sacrifice, and courage during this difficult time in our Nation's history. Each and every soldier that puts on a uniform is a hero to me and I salute them. God truly will put no more on you than you can bear, and he has sent an Angel of mercy "Cindy McGrew" down from Heaven full of love and compassion for her fellow man. Without you, Cindy, and your organization, I don't believe that I would have made it through.

Thank you and God bless.

Sgt. David Smith US Army (retired)