Life as a Combat Veteran: What I Miss the Most 

Posted on by purpleheartvet

  
War brings traumatic experiences that stay with soldiers & marines forever. War has been the cause of personal wounds, loss of friends and destruction of relationships. Yet a week doesn’t go by without me seeing someone post about how they miss being “over there”. How can that be? What in the world could they be missing? Here are the 3 things that I miss the most: 

1. My Innocence 

We were so young when our journey to the battlefield began. Most of the guys I served with being fresh out of high school or in their early 20’s. Our training was the best in the world and tactically we were prepared for everything we would face on the streets of Fallujah. We were excited about the chance to take the fight to the enemy and couldn’t wait to get on the ground. At this point in our lives most of us were unaware that we were not invincible. The political back and forth that determined our ROE (rules of engagement) and mission approval was not part of our thought process. We were the good guys going after the bad guys and it was as simple as that. The older I get, the more I wish I could go back to the innocence we all carried as we boarded the plane for the Middle East. 

2. My Brothers 

If you are a veteran and you are reading this then the names have already started going through your mind. For me it is Doc, Snider, Stadelman, Kozak, Nevins, Stygar and the list could go on for awhile. These names and so many others are ones that I will never forget. I will also remember forever the stories that go along with these guys. The care package of gum where Stadelman fit about 300 pieces in his mouth at once, Kozak saving our lives by staying on the .50 cal when any sane person would have taken cover or Snider being the best friend a guy could ask for. 
For over a year we found ourselves eating, living, sleeping and fighting together every second of everyday. We came to know each other’s families as good as our own. We heard about the favorite fishing holes back home, each other’s reasons for joining the military and so much more. We got to see a side of each other that only comes out when you find yourself beside a brother day after day, fighting a war that seems will never end. 

On bad days we saw a helicopter land and take a brother away as medics worked to save his life. We would secretly pray that he would be okay and that we would see him again soon.  On the worst days, a body would be placed in a bag and that soldier’s friends would start praying for a family they had never met but yet knew so much about. While combat brought the most horrific moments most of us have ever seen, I don’t know of anyone who wouldn’t go back in a second to spend a few more minutes with the brothers that we miss every single day. 

3. My Purpose 

According to the official Army website, this was our job description: “The infantry is the main land combat force and backbone of the Army. They are responsible for defending our country against any threat by land, as well as capturing, destroying and repelling enemy ground forces.

In our minds it was summed up even more. Our job was simply “to close with, and destroy the enemy”. 

Our missions were usually very clear, a certain person, house or force was laid before us and our job was to kill or capture. During the operation of the mission, many obstacles would present themselves but our purpose remained obvious and we would give everything to see that our goal was met. 

After combat, personal purpose is a moving target that is impossible to hit for many guys. They find themselves searching for goals and wishing they simply had an enemy that they could go after once again. In their desperate search, too many guys decide that they can look no longer. 22 veterans a day make the choice to end their life and in doing so make it even harder for their fellow brothers to go on without them. 

I wish that each of us could forever live in a place where we all have a clear purpose for our days. It hurts so bad to see some of the strongest men you have ever known, suddenly find themselves without goals and direction. Over the next few months I hope to begin a program that will help each of us gain a clearer purpose to our lives. 

War is ugly, but it brought me some of the best friendships and memories that I will treasure forever. To all the guys I served with in A Co 1-32: I miss you everyday. I hope you are well. I look up to you more than you will ever know. 

*Pictured in the above photo is our medic, Doc Winkel. Everybody needs a good medic in their life. Thanks for taking great care of me, Doc!

-Andrew Smith




Andrew Smith is an Executive Coach and Leadership speaker with the John Maxwell Team, as well as the Director of Rooftop India, an organization that seeks to train leaders internationally, as well as care for orphans through the ministry of the Azlynn Noelle Children’s Home.

https://give.rooftopmissions.com/rooftopmissions

Smith served as an Infantry soldier with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division from 2002-2005. Wounded in Fallujah, Iraq in 2003 by shrapnel from an IED, he is the recipient of the Purple Heart.

Because of his military experience, he now assists as a mentor with Honor & Courage (Operation Ward 57), a non-profit organization that financially assists Wounded Warriors and their families.

http://www.johnmaxwellgroup.com/asmith

http://www.facebook.com/thepurpleheartvet 

Life as a Combat Veteran: Dates You Never Forget 

Posted on by purpleheartvet

  

November 2, 2003 is a date that I will never forget. I had just been released from a hospital in Fallujah a few days earlier and I was excited to be back with the guys. We were eating breakfast when we heard a loud explosion off in the distance. Knowing that we were QRF (Quick Reaction Force) that day, we immediately turned up our radios to get any information about what had happened. It didn’t take long to find out and also to know that we were about to find ourselves right in the middle of it. 
USA Today later described what had happened like this: 

“FALLUJAH, Iraq — A U.S. Army Chinook helicopter ferrying troops out of Iraq for leave was shot down near a stronghold of Saddam Hussein loyalists Sunday, killing 16 soldiers and injuring 20. It was the single deadliest attack against U.S. forces in Iraq and the latest calling card of an increasingly clever and deadly insurgency.”

As we threw on our gear and crammed the rest of our hot breakfast in our mouths we had no idea what was waiting for us. As we approached what was supposed to be a downed helicopter we only saw scattered debris. With an approaching enemy, we quickly began rescue operations while others scrambled into fighting positions. The KIA were placed together and we did our best to treat the wounded. As medical help arrived in the form of Air Force PJs, us infantry guys focused on doing what we could to assist them as they fought to save the lives of those most severely injured. 

I was tasked with helping identify the bodies of those killed. When I got to the first one, I was not ready for what I saw. Being Infantry, I was used to a unit of all men. Now laying before me, I found a young female soldier who didn’t seem to have a scratch on her. I will never forget how beautiful she was and how it seemed so surreal that she could be dead. As we moved down the line of bodies, I saw faces of what seemed to be young kids. Their uniforms bearing names that I will never forget. On many nights I have googled their names, read their stories and even seen their parents standing in their childhood bedrooms talking about how much they miss their son or daughter. 

But on November 2, 2003 I did not yet know their hometowns or the family members that they were going home to see. On that day as I walked around, I noticed teddy bears and other gifts that they had packed to share with those they loved once they got back to the states. 

On that day I sat with my brothers as we tried our best to remove the blood that covered our uniforms. I watched as our medics treated the hands of infantryman who had grabbed pieces of a burning helicopter in an effort to reach those trapped inside the wreckage. After the last of the bodies was airlifted away from the crash site, we continued to guard what remained. We were determined that the enemy would not touch one piece of the debris that littered the ground around us. That day, no enemy of the United States was going to dance on a propeller and they certainly weren’t going to touch one of the teddy bears or disposable cameras lying at our feet. Covered in blood, we stayed for days until the last piece of evidence was removed. 

That is why I will never forget 11/2/03. 

**Update** Because this article was shared so many times last year, I received messages from family members of those killed in this crash. The talks we were able to have meant so much to them and myself. I cannot thank you enough for making this possible. 

The fact is that every combat veteran has these dates in their minds. It could be the day they were wounded or lost a friend, a day of a feirce firefight or a horrible ambush. Sometimes they post a picture or talk to a friend but more often than not they usually just go about their day and quietly remember all they have seen sacrificed for the freedoms that so many seem to take for granted. 

If you are a veteran then I encourage you to share these dates with some close family and friends. Let them remember with you. And if you ever need to talk, know that there are plenty of us who are here to listen. 

http://www.operationward57.org

In Memory of: 

Army Staff Sgt. Daniel A. Bader, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Army Staff Sgt. Ernest G. Bucklew, 33, of Enon Valley, Pennsylvania.

Army Spc. Steven D. Conover, 21, of Wilmington, Ohio.

Army Pfc. Anthony D. Dagostino, 20, of Waterbury, Connecticut.

Army Spc. Darius T. Jennings, 22, of Cordova, South Carolina.

Army Pfc. Karina S. Lau, 20, of Livingston, California.

Army Sgt. Keelan L. Moss, 23, of Houston, Texas.

Army Spc. Brian H. Penisten, 28, of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Army Sgt. Ross A. Pennanen, 36, of Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Army Sgt. Joel Perez, 25, of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.

Army 1st Lt. Brian D. Slavenas, 30, of Genoa, Illinois.

Army CW4 Bruce A. Smith, 41, of West Liberty, Iowa.

Army Spc. Frances M. Vega, 20, of Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.

Army Staff Sgt. Paul A. Velazquez, 29, of California.

Army Staff Sgt. Joe N. Wilson, 30, of Mississippi.


-Andrew Smith


Andrew Smith is an Executive Coach and Leadership speaker with the John Maxwell Team, as well as the Director of Rooftop India, an organization that seeks to train leaders internationally, as well as care for orphans through the ministry of the Azlynn Noelle Children’s Home.

Smith served as an Infantry soldier with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division from 2002-2005. Wounded in Fallujah, Iraq in 2003 by shrapnel from an IED, he is the recipient of the Purple Heart.

Because of his military experience, he now assists as a mentor with Honor & Courage (Operation Ward 57), a non-profit organization that financially assists Wounded Warriors and their families.

He has also owns and operates a small business -Yellow Dawg Striping – in Southwest Virginia.


http://www.johnmaxwellgroup.com/asmith


http://www.facebook.com/thepurpleheartvet 


Is Your Life Significant? 

Posted on by purpleheartvet

Many times we confuse success with significance. We spend so much time trying to reach the goals in front of us and very little time thinking about why we have those goals in the first place. 

Merriam-Webster defines being Significant in these 3 ways:

1. Having meaning

Does your life mean something to you? Do you think you are on this earth for a purpose? If so, then you probably want to live a certain way and accomplish specific things while you are alive. What goals have you set to make this happen? 

2. Having or likely to have influence or effect  

A focus on success is usually based on selfish motives. A focus on significance realizes that our lives can and should have a positive influence on those around us. Do you take the responsibility of influence seriously? Do you purposefully grow your level of influence? 

3. Important 

Everyone wants to feel important. All of us want our lives to be ones that are wanted, needed and valued. The question we have to ask is, “What makes my life valuable?” Are we content with the value of our life being based on what we can offer an employer, or do we really believe there are other ways to add value to the world? 

A significant life will not happen by accident. Just like being successful takes focused decisions over a long period of time, significance requires us to shoot for a specific target. 

Over the past few years, I have watched my children grow from babies to the nine, seven and three-year olds that they are today. I have missed many days that I will never get back. As a dad, I want to make a difference in their lives. I know it is my job to discipline, teach, love and praise them. These things don’t happen automatically though. 

I also want to be the best husband that I can be. I want my wife to feel loved, appreciated and valued, but again, these things don’t happen by accident. 

Our lives will never be significant unless we are willing to live in a very intentional way. Our goals must be clear, our time managed and our attention focused on the things that truly matter. 

-Andrew Smith

*If you are interested in living an Intentional Life, then check out the link below. John Maxwell’s new book, Intentional Living is now available and it comes with a special 30 day Challenge! 

http://clicks.johnmaxwell.com/aff_c?offer_id=9&aff_id=163 

 
Andrew Smith is an Executive Coach and Leadership speaker with the John Maxwell Team, as well as the Director of Rooftop India, an organization that seeks to train leaders internationally, as well as care for orphans through the ministry of the Azlynn Noelle Children’s Home.
Smith served as an Infantry soldier with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division from 2002-2005. Wounded in Fallujah, Iraq in 2003 by shrapnel from an IED, he is the recipient of the Purple Heart.
Because of his military experience, he now assists as a mentor with Honor & Courage (Operation Ward 57), a non-profit organization that financially assists Wounded Warriors and their families.
He has also owns and operates a small business -Yellow Dawg Striping – in Southwest Virginia.

http://www.johnmaxwellgroup.com/asmith

http://www.facebook.com/thepurpleheartvet 

Who is Most Valuable to You? 

Posted on by purpleheartvet

Around 5th grade was the first time that I began to notice the different parts of a team for the first time. I watched as Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to some thrilling wins on the basketball court. While some may argue this point, to me it was easy to see that he was by far the most valuable player in the NBA at that time. I could not imagine the Bulls being successful without him. 

Over the years I have been blessed to be a part of many amazing teams. From high school and college basketball to my days in Fallujah with 10th Mountain Division, I have watched certain individuals step up and play a critical role in our team’s success.  

Even now as I serve with Rooftop Missions I can clearly see how we each play a different part in reaching our goals. Matt, the founder of Rooftop, sets a vision in front of us and encourages us daily to do the things necessary to make it happen. Eric, our Director of Communications, captures critical video and photographs on foreign soil and then gets the final cut on our social media pages in a way that only he can do. 

But none of these people are Most Valuable to me and my life. 
It became very obvious to me awhile back just who makes my life the best that it can be. She is my best friend, encourager and supporter. She is the only one who has made the commitment to spend her entire life loving me and staying by my side. She is my wife. 

When I think about who is “Most Valuable” to me, it really isn’t even close. My wife has been there during the fun moments, but also for the dark ones too. She knows more about me than I would like and she doesn’t even hold it against me. Each day, she is the one that I come home to. She is the one that is affected most by my decisions. She is the one who is always willing to talk and when necessary ask the tough questions. 

As you go through this life and the career that you have chosen, your attention will be pulled in many different directions. You will be tempted to focus on titles, salary, goals, possessions and other people. In the midst of all of this, please do not lose focus on the one that has agreed to stay beside you for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. 

Take the time to remember who is Most Valuable to you and then treat them like they truly are just that. 

-Andrew Smith


Andrew Smith is an Executive Coach and Leadership speaker with the John Maxwell Team, as well as the Director of Rooftop India, an organization that seeks to train leaders internationally, as well as care for orphans through the ministry of the Azlynn Noelle Children’s Home.


Smith served as an Infantry soldier with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division from 2002-2005. Wounded in Fallujah, Iraq in 2003 by shrapnel from an IED, he is the recipient of the Purple Heart.


Because of his military experience, he now assists as a mentor with Honor & Courage (Operation Ward 57), a non-profit organization that financially assists Wounded Warriors and their families.
He has also owns a small business -Yellow Dawg Striping – in Southwest Virginia. 

When Success Isn’t Worth the Sacrifice 

Posted on by purpleheartvet

    Last night a friend suggested that I do something. Okay, he actually CHALLENGED me to do it and to guys that small word can make a big difference. 

    You see, guys love a challenge. From the time we are little, we dare each other to do really stupid stuff. The problem is that instead of thinking about the consequences of accepting the challenge, we usually only picture what the completion of the challenge will look like. 

    I still remember as a young infantry soldier just how bad I wanted to close with and destroy the enemy. I saw war as the ultimate challenge and surviving it would be the victory of a lifetime. Little did I know that the consequences of going to war would mean PTSD, TBI’s and injuries to myself and many of my friends. 

    But back to last night’s challenge. My friend wanted me to do something special for a family member. It could be anyone that I chose, but I had to agree to 2 conditions. 

    1. I would give them some of my time. 

    2. I would write them a note. 
    Now last night was not the best time for me to do something like this. My back is messed up and I am on medicine that makes me really tired, I had a ton of work to get done and many phone calls to return. But I accepted his challenge. 

    My daughter, Addi, is always asking for a special bedtime story. Not the usual kind from a book or a short one from memory. She likes it when I take the time to tell a long story complete with different voices and exciting plot twists. And last night when she went to bed, here is the note that she found. 

     
    After finding it, she came flying into the living room. She said, “Dad, are you serious about this?”. It was then that I realized just how long it had been since our last “special bedtime story”. I had done my duties as a normal dad would, but I had failed to be the best dad that I knew to be. 

    Many times in life we are distracted by success. We dream about it and can’t wait to reach the end of our goals. The problem is that we often fail to see the consequences of what that success may be.  

    We have all been challenged by society to be successful. That is defined many different ways but the fact remains that most of those definitions are not good ones. 

    There is nothing wrong with striving to be successful, but we must realize this:

    Success requires sacrifice. Before you decide to strive for success, make sure what you are letting go of isn’t more valuable than what you are reaching toward. 

    So last night I decided that work could wait. I also decided that ministry could be put on hold as well. You see, I love my jobs, but I love my family more. 

    Addi was sitting up in bed when I walked into her room. The smile on her face was the biggest I had seen in a long time. As I sat down beside her, she let out one of those ear piercing screams of excitement and I couldn’t help but smile myself. She could have cared less about what my current job title is, how many miles my car has on it or how much money we have in the bank. The only things she wanted from me were my time and a horrible story about a talking dog and its quest to find his home. 

    The challenge that I accepted was simple but it has changed my life. It showed me that most of the world is wrong. Success isn’t always worth the Sacrifice. 

    If at the end of the day I still have my faith, family, friends and health then I will go to bed a very rich man…regardless of how others define my accomplishments. 

    -Andrew Smith

    Andrew Smith is an Executive Coach and Leadership speaker with the John Maxwell Team, as well as the Director of Rooftop India, an organization that seeks to train leaders internationally, as well as care for orphans through the ministry of the Azlynn Noelle Children’s Home.
    Smith served as an Infantry soldier with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division from 2002-2005. Wounded in Fallujah, Iraq in 2003 by shrapnel from an IED, he is the recipient of the Purple Heart.
    Because of his military experience, he now assists as a mentor with Honor & Courage (Operation Ward 57), a non-profit organization that financially assists Wounded Warriors and their families.
    He has also owns a small business -Yellow Dawg Striping – in Southwest Virginia. 

    Why they attacked US. 

    Posted on by purpleheartvet

      
    9/11 revealed America’s most extreme enemies. It showed us men that hated everything we stand for as a Nation. That day reminded us that, unlike other countries, we operate in a way that threatens everything that they hold dear.  

    1. We love freedom; they despise it. 

    2. We value life; they destroy it. 

    3. We worship God; they are blinded by religion. 

    I pray that men such as those that attacked us on that day will always be my enemy; because if they are ever my friend, then we will not be the Nation that we were on 9/11/2001. 


    -Andrew Smith


    “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.”

    -Winston Churchill


    Andrew Smith is an Executive Coach and Leadership speaker with the John Maxwell Team, as well as the Director of Rooftop India, an organization that seeks to train leaders internationally, as well as care for orphans through the ministry of the Azlynn Noelle Children’s Home.


    Smith served as an Infantry soldier with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division from 2002-2005. Wounded in Fallujah, Iraq in 2003 by shrapnel from an IED, he is the recipient of the Purple Heart.


    Because of his military experience, he now assists as a mentor with Honor & Courage (Operation Ward 57), a non-profit organization that financially assists Wounded Warriors and their families.


    He has also owns a small business -Yellow Dawg Striping – in Southwest Virginia. 


     

    Go Ahead, Don’t Share. 

    Posted on by purpleheartvet

      
    Each time I visit a foreign country, the same things always happens. I almost immediately find myself surrounded by kids. It could be because of what I am carrying…usually my iPhone or a football. It could be because I am tall and white. No matter the reason, I love it when I find myself surrounded by new friends. 

    In these moments, I always react the same way. I desperately search for something to share with them. Sometimes it is candy, other times a selfie or maybe a song from my phone. 

    But the main reason that I travel thousands of miles is to share with them the greatest gift that was ever shared with me. In some way, shape or form, I give them the Gospel. I share with them the love that Jesus has for each and everyone of us. 

    We are able to do this because many people have given selflessly to make it happen. People just like you. As we grow we will need more resources to share with our new friends around the world, some who don’t have parents or beds to call their own. 

    So I ask, will you share? 

    Has God blessed you enough that you can find $10 a month to share and impact lives all across the world. 

    Go ahead, don’t share. But know that you are missing out. My greatest joy in life usually comes when I give what I have to someone that needs it the most…whether it is a hug, a smile or something as simple as a dollar. 

    Click below to start sharing today! http://www.RooftopMissions.com/Join

    -Andrew Smith/Director of Rooftop Missions

    *Whether it is through Rooftop or another organization, I pray that you will decide to share your blessings with others today. 

    **Are you already on the Rooftop Team? If so, feel free to share this link with your friends and family. 

    About the author: 

    Executive Coach and Leadership speaker with the John Maxwell Team. http://www.johnmaxwellgroup.com/asmith

    Director of Rooftop Missions http://www.rooftoomissions.com 
    Infantry soldier with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division from 2002-2005. 

    Wounded in Fallujah, Iraq in 2003 by shrapnel from an IED. 
    Purple Heart Recipient
    Mentor with Honor & Courage (Operation Ward 57), a non-profit organization that financially assists Wounded Warriors and their families. 

    Small Business Owner-Yellow Dawg Striping of Southwest Virginia.

    Dear Hokie Fans: 

    Posted on by purpleheartvet

       
    If you follow me on social media then you probably noticed that I went to the game last night. You saw that I was there for “Enter Sandman” and even spent time hanging with the Hokie Bird. 

      
    But social media doesn’t always tell the whole story…and I wanted to share the rest of it with you today. 

    Right before Tech scored their first touchdown, I had already left the game. It wasn’t because we were down 14-0, but because I had somewhere more important to be. I left so I could go watch the game that I was at…on TV. 

    I drove the 1 1/2 miles up the road to my Grandpa’s house. 

    Some of my earliest memories in life revolve around Virginia Tech athletic events and it was my Grandpa that was right beside me at each of them. We would park at the old..old Blacksburg high school and walk together to Lane Stadium. He would tell me about each player’s strengths/weaknesses and give his prediction for the game. Some of the games we went to were huge victories for VT but that was never the best part of game day in Blacksburg. Here is what was: 

    1. Being with my Grandpa. 

    He could have gone to the games with anyone, but he took me. He bought me peanuts, milkshakes and pretty much anything else that I wanted. He would throw football with me before the game and answer any questions that I had during the game. He wanted me there with him and there is absolutely no where else in the world that I would have rather been. 

    2. Being with our Friends

    In the late 80′ and into the 90’s, you would see at least 200 people you knew every time you walked into Lane Stadium. As a kid, it was so much fun to meet up with people at the games and spend time together in such an awesome atmosphere. The same still holds true today. I love seeing so many people that I know each and every game day. Even as Blacksburg grows, it still has such a special small town feel and I pray that it never changes. 

    3. Being a Hokie

    Yes… we lost last night, but I would still rather be a Hokie than a Buckeye..or a Seminole…and of course a Cavalier. The older I get the more I realize how little the actual football really matters.  What I remember most about former VT players isn’t their completion % or their win/loss record, it was when they sat beside me and ate donuts at Carol Lee or handed me their receiving gloves after a game. What I look up to in Coach Beamer is not that he has won bowl games, but that he is a good husband, father and leader. What I am most proud of when it comes to Virginia Tech is not that they recruited Michael Vick, but that when tragedy struck in 2007, they showed the world how Hokies respond.  Unless you have lived in Blacksburg, it is really hard to understand what it means to be a Hokie. If you do understand, then you know there is nothing you would rather be. 

    So last night when I could have stayed at one of the most anticipated college football games of the season…I didn’t. I walked out of Lane Stadium and went to watch the game with my Grandpa. We talked, laughed and almost cried (Brewer injury). I left his house knowing that life would go on even after a loss because there are many things in life more important than football.  I drove away proud to be a Hokie, not because of our football team, but because I had just gotten to watch the game with the best Hokie I have ever known. 

      

    -Andrew Smith



    Andrew Smith is an Executive Coach and Leadership speaker with the John Maxwell Team, as well as the Director of Rooftop India, an organization that seeks to train leaders internationally, as well as care for orphans through the ministry of the Azlynn Noelle Children’s Home.


    Smith served as an Infantry soldier with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division from 2002-2005. Wounded in Fallujah, Iraq in 2003 by shrapnel from an IED, he is the recipient of the Purple Heart.


    Because of his military experience, he now assists as a mentor with Honor & Courage (Operation Ward 57), a non-profit organization that financially assists Wounded Warriors and their families.


    He has also owns a small business -Yellow Dawg Striping – in Southwest Virginia. 

    Why Tomorrow is a Bad Day

    Posted on by purpleheartvet

      Isn’t it amazing how tomorrow always works out to be the perfect time to do something. Going to the gym, working on the budget, many things just seem to sound much better when we think about doing them tomorrow. The fact is that you are not guaranteed tomorrow…none of us are. Here are 3 ways that I make my “TODAY” count. 

    1. Have a list of things that I WILL accomplish by the end of the day. I use an ongoing note on my iPhone titled “To Do”. Each day I look at the list and know that until it is done, I will be awake working on it. Life happens…but the list still gets done each day. 

    2. Remind myself why it matters that I start today. Recently I heard a speaker say, “God’s day is today…the devil’s day is tomorrow.” I’m not sure who spoke those words, but they changed my way of thinking. There are many opportunities we are given in life that come along one time. Do we really want to miss those just because we want to wait until tomorrow? 

    3. Treasure the Moment. As a dad I know that these years are precious and that I will never get them back again. Do I fail miserably at this sometimes? Yes! But the older my kids get, the faster I see them growing up. Learn to enjoy the season of life you are in right now. Whether it is high school, college, newly married etc. take the time to treasure the moments that you will never see again. 

    Make TODAY count!!!

      

    Andrew Smith is a former infantry soldier who was wounded in Fallujah, Iraq in 2003. His passion is serving God and following that call no matter where it leads. After being on staff at a local church for 10 years, he recently accepted a position with Rooftop Missions and will be serving as Director of Rooftop India.  


    Executive Coach and Leadership speaker with the John Maxwell Team. http://www.johnmaxwellgroup.com/asmith

    Director of Rooftop India http://www.rooftoomissions.com 

    Mentor with Honor & Courage (Operation Ward 57), a non-profit organization that financially assists Wounded Warriors and their families. http://www.operationward57.org

    Small Business Owner-Yellow Dawg Striping of Southwest Virginia.

    A Soldier’s Story 

    Posted on by purpleheartvet

      
    “Down But Not Out” by Andrew Smith Published by Military Experience and the Arts. Dec 9,2012

    I grew up in a great home with dedicated parents and two awesome brothers. My childhood was typical for a home with all boys. Sports, 4-wheelers and guns filled up our afternoons and life was never boring. Basketball was my passion and I played through high school and college. I loved the competitive nature of the game and enjoyed seeing all that could be accomplished when a team worked together. I joined the Army halfway through my sophomore year of college. I originally enlisted in the Reserves but, after many conversations with a former Ranger, I went Active Duty Infantry.

    I was stationed at Ft. Drum, home of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division. We deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in September of 2003. On our first combat mission, the vehicle I was driving was hit by an IED. I suffered shrapnel wounds to my left leg and a traumatic brain injury. (The TBI was not diagnosed until 2006).
    After 2 surgeries and over 30 days in the hospital, I returned to my unit and began to continue with combat missions. On November 2nd 2003, a Chinook helicopter was shot down outside of Fallujah and we were the first ones to respond. When we arrived there were a large amount of wounded and a total of 16 KIA. This event is one that has dominated my days and nights since.
    After 12 months in Iraq, we returned to the states and back to our “normal” lives. When it became obvious that due to my shrapnel wounds I would not be able to continue as an infantry soldier, I transferred to a different unit. This time was very hard because I was pulled away from my closest friends and leaders. I began to drink very heavily to try and forget about what I had went through and to numb me from what was ahead. I hated being stuck in the Army because I was now in a unit where I did not know anyone and had no real purpose. (I was going through the process of being discharged.)
    After I had been home for 3 months, I married the girl of my dreams and could not have been blessed with a better wife and friend. The problem was that she was in the middle of a school year teaching in Georgia while I was awaiting my discharge in New York. So from December 2004-July 2005 I numbed my pain by drinking each and every night. Looking back on this time in my life, there are many things that I would do different, but the one obvious one is my drinking. Alcohol does nothing to help any problem you may have and in most cases it just makes things far worse. I made the decision to stop drinking the day I got out of the Army and I have not had a single drink since then.
    After leaving the Army I still had many issues that I needed to deal with but sometimes I felt so overwhelmed by all of the symptoms that I was too worn out to even think about the problem. Anger, fear, depression, and paranoia dominated my days and the nights didn’t get much better. After talking with many different counselors I finally found one that really did make a difference in my life. She took the time to walk me through the different situations I was facing in my life and really opened my eyes to things that I needed to work on.
    When I was 12 years old I made the decision to ask Christ to forgive me of my sins and I put my faith and trust in Him and Him alone. While I didn’t always act like a Christian, I knew that deep down He was still there for me and He had always been. As I became more involved in my church and with helping other people get through their own trials, I began to notice that my own issues were growing smaller by the day. As life got busy with kids and work I found that I didn’t quite have enough time to dwell on my past and live my life too. I DECIDED TO LIVE!!!
    Since 2005 I have had the honor of being a basketball coach, a youth pastor, serving on the Board of Directors for a non-profit and speaking at different events around the country. I am still with the awesome girl I married in 2004 and we now have 2 kids and another one on the way. God has opened many doors for me to help wounded warriors and others deal with PTSD, TBI and many other injuries and I am honored each time I get to spend time with some of our Nation’s finest.
    It would take many pages to list all of the amazing people that have helped me since I was wounded and I am sure that I would forget to list them all. To the ones that do read this, I thank you for everything you have done for me and I want you to know that you made a difference in my life and my family’s. To the Soldiers and Marines that may be reading this wonder how you will make it through the rest of your life; I encourage you to take it a day at a time. God has a plan for your life and while you may not see what it is right now, He can.
    Be honest with those close to you in regards to what you are feeling and thinking and be willing to let others help you along the way. There is no shame in allowing others to be a blessing and an encouragement to you.
    “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” – Helen Keller

    -Andrew Smith 

    Andrew Smith is an Executive Coach and Leadership speaker with the John Maxwell Team, as well as the Director of Rooftop India, an organization that seeks to train leaders internationally, as well as care for orphans through the ministry of the Azlynn Noelle Children’s Home.


    Smith served as an Infantry soldier with the Army’s 10th Mountain Division from 2002-2005. Wounded in Fallujah, Iraq in 2003 by shrapnel from an IED, he is the recipient of the Purple Heart.


    Because of his military experience, he now assists as a mentor with Honor & Courage (Operation Ward 57), a non-profit organization that financially assists Wounded Warriors and their families.


    He has also owns a small business -Yellow Dawg Striping – in Southwest Virginia.