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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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harly69g 
Posts: 7405
KY State Captain
Forum Moderator
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| 24 Oct 2006 6:23 AM |
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James Alton Smith |
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James Alton Smith, 80, died Saturday, October 21, 2006, at the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson of heart failure and a broken heart only two months after losing his youngest child and only daughter, Phyllis Harris, of cancer. Visitation is 5-8 p.m. today at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon. Services are 3 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home chapel with burial in Brandon Memorial Gardens.
MSG Smith is the father of PGR members of Mississippi, Eddie and Jenny Smith of Brandon, MS. I have confirmed with him that the family would be honored by our presence on Wednesday.
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In the year 1943, James enlisted in the Navy at Camp Shelby and later served as a Signalman on the attack amphibious transport, USS FALLON in the Pacific during World War II. James was one of the first American service members to step foot on the Island of Japan after the surrender. During the Korean Conflict, he taught signal school in San Diego and also served aboard a minesweeper off the Atlantic coast.
He later joined the Mississippi Army National Guard, finally retiring as Master Sergeant in the state headquarters detachment after 30 years of military service. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion.
If anyone can ride with Jera and Carmen tomorrow (Wednesday) in honor of Master Sergeant Smith, They would be honored. They'll be in front of the Home Depot in Brandon (Southwest corner of I-20 exit 54) at 1:15 PM with plans to leave for the funeral home around 1:30.
They will have a few flags with them and invites anyone who wishes to stand Honor Guard with them outside the doors to the chapel for the service at 3:00. Burial will be at the Brandon Cemetary near the Armory following the chapel service.
MSG Smith will be buried with full military honors befitting a hero who gave so much to his country. |
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In Memory: Terri L. Newman 11/64 - 7/05
In Memory: Caleb S. Newman 12/07 - 12/07
In Memory: Ed "oldiron" Barrett 10/07
harly69g@gmail.com
Official KY site.
pgrky.org
pgrky.com
President Board of Directors
Patriot Guard Riders of Kentucky, Inc.
"Kentucky Rides With Respect"
The achievements of an organization are the results of the combined effort of each individual.
Vince Lombardi
“little limp-wristed leather-clad ladies” Our new KY name from you know who. |
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borntoride
Posts: 200
Oak Lawn
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| 24 Oct 2006 6:43 AM |
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| God Bless Master SSG James Alton Smith, Please rest in Peace. |
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bosky
Posts: 603
st. joseph, MO
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| 24 Oct 2006 8:14 AM |
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| my deepest condolences to the family of James Alton. May the Good Lord grant you peace at this difficult time. |
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TROG
Posts: 587
Jackson, MS Central Mississippi Ride Captain
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| 24 Oct 2006 8:24 AM |
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Trog here:
Plans are still as noted above at the Home Depot NLT 1:15 PM with KSU at 1:30 PM. Funeral home is only a couple miles away from the staging area. The cemetary is not much farther in Brandon.
Contact me if needed as follows:
Home 601-932-2472
Cell 601-214-2835
Page 601-930-1073
Thanks to all in advance for your support of this short notice mission.
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Cpt. Jera Anderson
US Army Aviation, Ret.
`74 to `94 Thunder From The Sun
Riding in memory of:
CPL Dustin "DUSTY" Jerome Lee
CWO5 Jamie D. Weeks
CWO Jason G. Defrenn
CWO Keith Yoakum
I Peter 2:15-16 – "For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."
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Ridley
Posts: 0
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| 24 Oct 2006 8:35 AM |
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| Our deepest sympathy to this family for thier loss. Thanks and gratitude for your service to our country, Master Sergeant James Alton Smith, RIP Sir.... Riding with you in spirit. |
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rmcpeek
Posts: 236
Pittsburgh, PA.
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| 24 Oct 2006 9:44 AM |
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| My condolances to the family and friends of Master Sergeant Smith. God Bless. |
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Choke
Pittsburgh, Pa.
US Army 1987 - 1995 |
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wvhusker
Posts: 4740
Ashland, KY
Sr. KY R/C
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| 24 Oct 2006 12:16 PM |
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Thank you for your willingness to defend the United States of America and her freedoms and interests. Your death brings much sorrow and sadness to the hearts and lives of your family, friends, military brothers and sisters, each and every member of the Patriot Guard Riders, and all who truly appreciate their freedom. We are proud of your service and dedication in that which you believed in and fought for. Your mission is complete. You are truly an American hero and the world in which we live is a safer place because of your commitment to freedom. We will now proudly stand for you with honor, dignity, and respect. We pray that you will now rest peacefully in the arms of God. May He provide peace, comfort, and understanding to each life you touched.
WV Husker
Tom & Kelly
Ashland, KY
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"Heaven Was Needing A Hero" (Jo Dee Messina)
My personal thanks to HUDPatriotGuard for posting this on YouTube. May this touch your heart as it did mine. ~WVHusker
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Big Jimbo
Posts: 80
North East Kansas
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| 24 Oct 2006 12:22 PM |
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| There are few words that I can use to to thank a man such as you for your service. We as Americans have you to thank for our continued existance as a Nation. Master Sgt. Smith I salute you sir! May god rest your soul James!........Big Jimbo |
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What ever you do in life, do it the best you possibly can and do it with HONOR! |
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Phat98
Posts: 16
Brandon, MS
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| 24 Oct 2006 1:58 PM |
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| I'm unable to do the ride today...I went by the funeral home last night and spoke with the family. I've known Eddie for over 30 years, we went to high school and played baseball together. Another soldier has gone to his final roll call...Godspeed, MSGt Smith! |
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Riding for PFC RC Smith, 4th Marines, Recipient of Purple Heart, Iwo Jima FEB 1945 |
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numbawon
Posts: 197
Greenfield,Missouri
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| 25 Oct 2006 5:58 PM |
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| Rest in peace Brother, you are a true american hero and will never be forgotten! To the family of Ssgt James Alton Smith , know that James will never be forgotten by his brothers in arms and be comforted knowing that he is now in the arms of God and is at peace. |
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TROG
Posts: 587
Jackson, MS Central Mississippi Ride Captain
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| 25 Oct 2006 6:23 PM |
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Mission Report:
I wish to thank the five riders who were able to stand with the LadyTrog and myself Tuesday for MSG Smith's service. Though we were small in number, we were exceptionally strong in Heart and in Respect. To all who have offered their condolences and were there with us in spirit, I thank you as well.
The seven of us stood Honor Guard outside the Funeral home for just over an hour as family, friends and a number of dignitaries from state and local governments came to pay their own respects to an American Hero. When the chapel service began, we quietly departed for the cemetery and prepared for the final service.
It was there that we were honored by being asked to join the US Army Honor Guard in their preparations and subsequent details. This was a first for this ride captain and I have to say that the service was well thought out, prepared and executed.
Everyone was in position when the procession came into view. When the hearse opened, the Army Guard detail's commander called us all to attention. As the flag draped casket was gently removed, we were called to present arms, which we all held until MSG Smith passed between our ranks and was positioned over his final resting place. The family and guests made their way through our tunnel of flags and to their seats. After recovery from the salute, our two ranks formed into one and positioned ourselves adjacent to the Army's detail a respectful distance away and slightly facing the family. At service's end, we remained in our positions until the final family member departed the site.
In this manner, our detail functioned complimentary yet coordinated with the military detail. Our flags were the first thing the family saw as they came over the rise to the burial site and the last thing as they departed. Mrs. Ruby Smith and other family members came by our ranks to speak to each of us in turn and relate how much our presence with the flags had made an otherwise traumatic and sorrowful day much different; a day of Respect and Honor in tribute to an incredible soldier, a faithful and loving husband, a devoted father and a best friend to many.
On a very personal note, Carmen and I have known Eddie and Jenny Smith for quite a while now and consider them both to be incredibly gracious and close friends. Both our hearts ache for the two of you as well as for all your family. We'll be there for you whenever you need and for what ever reason.
Mrs. Ruby, your loving, motherly hug you gave to me means far, far more than you could ever possibly know. I'll cherish our moment and your kind words to me for all of my days. May God bless you and keep you.
Master Sargeant James Alton Smith, I salute you sir. May your fellow heros of the past and present greet you at Heaven's gate and escort a comrade to the right hand of our Father. From a grateful nation and from one old soldier to another, thank you for being there. Rest easy, your mission is now complete.
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Cpt. Jera Anderson
US Army Aviation, Ret.
`74 to `94 Thunder From The Sun
Riding in memory of:
CPL Dustin "DUSTY" Jerome Lee
CWO5 Jamie D. Weeks
CWO Jason G. Defrenn
CWO Keith Yoakum
I Peter 2:15-16 – "For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God."
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wescpa
Posts: 6
Brandon, MS
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| 07 Nov 2006 1:13 PM |
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The best of me cannot tell you how much it meant to me and my family for the efforts of a few devoted PGR riders. This mission notice was a very short one and Trog, you pulled it off. Wow! My entire family is so grateful for your dedication, devotion and efforts you demonstrated at my father’s gravesite. It was so remarkable. My heart was beating so proudly. As I write, the tears flow as a reminder of my Dad and those before him that served their Country so proud. And, I am so proud to be a part of the PGR organization.
Thanks from the bottom of my heart to each one of you,
Eddie Smith and family
Brandon, MS
USAF '76-'80
MS Army National Guard '83-85
Now riding in memory of MSGT James A. Smith
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