John E. Smathers

Wow...time never stands still. Here we are again. Still miss you bad my brother. But I cherish the wonderful memories of a dear and good friend. Pray for us down here!!! We sure can use those prayers. ~I love you, man!!!

Well, been a long time since you left for your heavenly home, John (2006). Still fighting the good fight here for what is right and true. Especially these-days (2023). I still hold fast to you saying to me on many an occasion---"Billy" "patience, persists and perseverance". "The three P's" So I get up everyday and persevere my dear friend. ~Love you and miss you my brother.

John,

Not a day goes by that your not on my mind or still in my heart and memories. You instilled in me so much; You were an honest man, an absolute perfect human being and soul. I am forever grateful we crossed paths in life and still hold on to all of the goodness of you so close, not forgetting ever the hard-headed person you were as you would always describe about yourself and your father that you were and also the values, which so many we shared and 22 years later; I still cherish all you taught me and your passion to fight for what was right always, plus the genuineness about you as a whole. Rare in this day, truly! Only the good die young and only true heroes stay alive; Still an American Maryland Hero. Miss you today and always.

I love you my dear friend, John. The years do not make it easier. Miss you terribly here. Pass along some strong prayers to our Lord for me & mine. Okay?

Missing you so much still think of you often I still to this day have kept our promise

I echo the sentiment of Jennifer M. Spero's message. ---REALLY MISS YOU JOHN!! Think about you loads. Especially, your saying to me on many occasions "Billy" "patience, persists and perseverance". We persevere my dear friend.

14 years now in Heaven, John. Still miss you here! ❤

When a man really determines who his true friends are in life your passing John is even more of a loss. Thinking about you this morning. Miss talking to you bad!! Pray to the Lord our God for me my brother. ~Billy Rogers

John,

Today is Sunday, February 19. The year is 2017 now and not a day or night goes by, that I do not think of and dream of you. In fact, everyday I do have you in my mind where you have forever have stayed. Daily, your my heart still, but also my mind too. I rise daily because I know you have your eye on me and wouldn't allow me not to get back up. I felt I might fall here, so I had to reach out. I am now earning my Master's of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This is my second year in the program now and also I work in counseling now since 1/18/2016 for company thats actually around the world too. I love both, my career and education; though my greatest love of all is still not walking next to me through it when there is not a day that there isn't a struggle without you here and also everyday I go on I pray to the Lord you keep watching down on me to make sure I Keep on Rising. I still feel pain with you gone, but the joy I shared with you and all that I learned from you remains. I am blessed to have had you walk into my life and I thank God for the times we had, for it is what has kept me going. It has taken me a long time to get back up like I was when we met. I did it though and I believe that with what you would teach me in those years we had spent together; that is what I will never forget. I am grateful to have got to know you and be in your presence. I still hear your voice and am wondering if you can still hear mine? I Love you, John E. Smathers. Miss you more than this big ol' world too because your still my only hero and as you will always know your still my whole wide world. Because of you, I know. Thank-you. Always loving you..

John...MISS YOU MY OLD,DEAR FRIEND. Think of you so very often. I KNOW you are praying in heaven for all of us on our journey. Love you brother! ~Billy

John, I was a Deputy with P.G. Sheriff's Office we both started about the same time 1985 with the county. You were always friendly toward me and made everyone at ease. I remembered when you left to go into the Army and said to myself your one heck of a guy for everything you do. I was retired due to being injured in a fight in a courtroom. I heard that you had passed due to your injuries but didn't know the facts. I just wanted to say that everyone who really knew you liked you. R.I.P. John and thanks for the laughs at work, Giving Scout a good life and for serving our Nation . Till we meet again.

We still think about you all the time. Just wanted you to know :-)

Promises Kept...Your Undying Love & Peace Will Never Be Forgotten...I Love You,Still.

Happy New Year John. I miss you & think of you all the time.

John, I know we really didn't get to see you too much ever since you left for Iraq. It actually saddens me that I have to use a website to let you know how I feel. I just wanted to let you know that my mother, sister and I all miss you alot. I'm gonna miss you coming out to play football with us in the street and the fact you had about 5,000 cats, two of which we still have now. You were a great neighbor, soldier and most of all you were a great friend to me and for that I want to thank you. We're always going to miss you John. Goodbye.

I only recently learned about this, and it saddens me.

I served with John and know that he's a good man with a big heart. I am honored to have known him.

I still have an article hanging on my office wall about his mission to rescue Scout. That really says a lot about him, doesn't it?! John lived his life to the fullest, and you cannot get better than that.

--Michael Slack

To Mike McGowan and the Smathers family:



My condolences on the loss of a fine lawyer, and obviously a sorely missed son, brother and friend to the Smathers, and a brave soldier.

John and I met in 1999 when I was still living in Bradenton, FL. I remember the exact day I met John. It was my scheduled day to work out on Longboat Key at the Hilton Hotel and private Beach Service outside of the Hotel I worked at in Florida. That day happen to be my day off from college, since I had set work days and college days. The day I met John I will never forget, from the moment we met John and I had hit it off. It was meant for us to meet that day, because from then on I knew I had met the most intelligent, caring, honest, and so much more, I mean he really had every quality of a good-old fashion mannered man and someone I would share many wonderful years to come with. We started by spending his vacation together by becoming friends and going out on dates. We spent quality time together and I went out with him and was able to meet his good friends from college and we all shared a wonderful evening out, although every moment with John was wonderful, since we had so much to talk about and I was studying Criminal Justice and Psychology, so him being a lawyer and going to college in the field of Law was very exciting to hear and learn from him, the best, truly he was. I remember he came to pick me up and everyone in my family who met him thought he was a wonderful man and we all would share some great moments talking about everything. I decided after he left to accept his invitation to where he was from and so, we made arrangements for me to fly in and I was immediately once again so happy to see John and he was so happy for me to have come to Maryland. I remember going to Ocean City Beach first and from there we would take a long scenery route back home from which I learned so much about him. We stopped at the Chicken stand and went through a few different states along our way stopping at his favorite spots and something that all had meaning to him that he wanted to share with me, like the chicken stand for example. We enjoyed one anothers company so very much and we told each other everything about ourselves, we had a deep respect and trust in another. He was someone I could tell anything and everything too. What we shared was so special and something I will never forget, since after that trip, I would come back and fourth and he would do the same when I lived in Florida and even when I decided to go back and live up north and finish out my college career in Boston. John and I always wrote to one another, talked on the phone, emailed, and also spent wonderful times together, times that I will never forget, because I came to love this man as my best friend and we did share a relationship on and off again over the years, I was his girlfriend for some time and we would spend 4th of July together in D.C. and go to Baltimore to the ESPN zone, we would go and visit his colleges he attended and while the time wasn't right for me to move out there since I was finishing up college, I still was planning to transfer and apply to colleges he showed me and wanted me to go too. He came and would visit me in Boston as well and we shared good times while I lived there, since when he was in town, I would bring him to meet the family and take him out to some fabulous spots with my family and then John and I would go to places like Marblehead, Massachusetts where he had many memories of his dad he would share with me, also family was very important to him and he always spoke to me of his mothers and sisters and how he was the baby out of all his siblings. John being the only son and brother to all his older sisters was something John was always happy to share his life stories and about growing up, since the people in his life, especially family, friends, his law partners and later he told me of all the soldiers he met too, for everyone shared a special part of John in different ways oh and even his cats when he had them and of course his dogs as well, I remember the first time he contacted me last fall about Scout and Judy was his newer dog which I never got to hear about from John. He meant a lot to so many people and so many people meant a lot to him. He had a big heart, was always positive in life with what he said to others and in what he did, and he lived his life to the fullest. He didn't waste time and he knew what he wanted to do, then did it. John was the man I looked up too since I could count on and I miss him so much. I learned a lot from him over the years and I have always remembered everything he told me. A wise man once told me, I could go to Harvard, I could go anywhere I wanted to go in life. I know because of him and his positive way of thinking and of life, that his powerful words that continually play in my head even now, that the wise man, which of course was John was my role model, someone who I know was meant to come into my life for a reason and I am so proud to have been his good friend and girlfriend, because he was my hero and I had been in school working hard and am not about to graduate this year which I was going to tell him, but even more exciting was that I was going to tell him the news, that in his name, his honor, out of respect for what he did and something I always admired was that I was going to start applying to law schools and become a lawyer since he was right, I could do anything I wanted to do, he always said don't worry about the money, money was never an issue and John clearly showed he was a simple man and if it is meant to be for me, then I know somehow God will see me through as well as I try myself to pay my way through Law school, since I have paid my way this far through my education mainly by myself, financial aid and loans, but if there is a will, then there is a way and I know John is watching me from heaven and is proud of me and I only hope he knows how much he impacted my life. He was a man of his word and I am a woman of mine. This year when I graduate I wish he could of been there, but I know he'll be watching over me, not just then but everyday and one day John I will meet you in Heaven. I will always rememeber the times we shared and I will never be afraid to go for what I want in life, which is to be a lawyer and make you proud, but also myself since you meant the world to me. If I don't succeed at first, then I will until I make the finish line, just as you have done in your life. You've had two careers, a Lawyer and a Captain. You won cases which helped people lives and you risked your life and decided to go into war because of your love for the people and our country. Your my hero, the man I never stopped loving and my friend who now I call a Saint and an angel who watches over me...Forever you will be in my heart as I lead my life in the many ways you educated me and make me think more of what I wanted in my life. I need to go out there and do it. I have made deans list and have done well, next up Law School John, I dedicate my days to you for you will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace in the heavens above. Thank-you John for coming into my life and making me the happiest woman alive because of the man you were. You always had something good to say about everyone and lived your life as a proud American. Nobody can ever compare to you and I know we all are missing you. To the Smathers Family, espcially his mother and sisters whom were his heart and I tried to meet all of you, but John and I were mainly long distance since the most I ever stayed there was two weeks at a time and/or he would visit me so while I may not have personally spoke to everyone, he talked about everyone and I felt like I knew all about you, which I did, since we both kept family important and talked about a lot. My heart goes out to all of you and I know how proud you're of your son and brother, he touched a lot of lives and was a Hero and so much more to each individual he knew, as well as all his pets. Family, Friends, pets, his careers and everything else in his life made him happy and made others happy and someone who was someone in life you want to know and have as a friend, he will live on forever, in our hearts and souls. He watches us right now, I love you Captain John E. Smathers and I will live my life to the fullest as you have lived yours and I know you'll be smiling down on me, for you'll always be the man who had the stongest influence on me and you will always be the one who knew all of me and loved me, cared for me and understood me through it all, that will be hard not to talk to you in person, but I will pray and talk to you at night. I miss you. My love, my other half of my heart, and my life I live in honor of you, you earned my Respect and I earned yours. I don't want to stop here, but just know everyday your on my mind...

"Though the voice is quiet, the spirit schoes still." With my Deepest Sympathy to The Smather's Family, your also all in my hearts and I am praying for you all. All my love.

Johnny Baby,

I'm hurting Buddy. This one caught me by surprise. When will I learn. You always caught me by surprise. Ever since the moment I met you all those years ago, you constantly surprised me. We've been through some things together. Most would not believe the stories. But, I will always remember. Countless episodes of surprises, I will always remember. You filled my life with incredible moments, our lives became intertwined, and we always took care of each other, but right now I just feel empty and lost. Maybe Elvis has got you now, but I miss you Johnny! "Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell. Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul."

There are many leaders that we admire, few as much as Captain John E. Smathers. In his inauguration speech, JFK had a very personal touch when he said, "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." And that's exactly what John did, and not just with lofty talk, but with courageous actions. Kennedy's vision knew no boundaries, and neither did Captain Smathers. He set bold, well defined goals and through his exceptional determination and indomitable spirit reached those goals. The dictionary defines charisma as "a special, inspiring quality of leadership" and, like JFK, John oozed it, as well as compassion. John, the world is a better place because of you, all you did, and all you are. We pray for you and your family every day. With much love and respect always,

Julie and Ron Elrod

Although I had not seen John in some time, I was deeply saddened and shocked to learn of his death. John was a good friend of mine and a big inspiration to me in my days as a newly-minted lawyer. Even in his civilian life, he truly displayed great courage and was not afraid to take the just position on an issue, even if it was not popular or did not serve his best interests. He was truly kind and unselfish in a way that is not only unusual today, but can be all too unusual in our chosen profession. I did not know he was an army officer, but it does not surprise me. He is not alone in Heaven, though. I am certain that he has already met up with my late husband, Dr. Walt Drozdoski, another self-effacing, beautiful and great guy who left this Earth much too early, at the age of 46. I am sure that I had the pleasure of introducing Walt to John years ago, at the Prince George's County Courthouse -- a place John frequented, and, where you can still find some of the finest human beings ever to have graced God's Earth. My condolences to your family, John. You will be sorely missed. Rest well, and I can already feel you watching over us and guiding us.

Love, Joanne

I met John, when he was a patient at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany after his ambush, in FEB 04. As a volunteer with the Pastoral Services' Clothing Closet, I provide the sick/injured troops with clothing and toiletry items. We struck up a friendship and I used John as my model for a photoshoot on an article about my volunteer vacations over in Germany. In the photo, I am giving John a foot massage, something I would often provide him and the troops for relaxation. I remember on my last night, he said I was his favorite part of Germany. Even as a full blown adult, I inwardly giggled like a school girl. I would drop John, and the other heroes I've met, emails to share the latest news of their "little Sailor sister Elyse." I'm currently enrolled in Villanova University's accelerated nursing program, to become an Active Duty Officer in the Navy Nurse Corps on 31 JUL 06. With his permission, I shared our photo in a presentation for one of my classes. I was looking forward to let him know of my commissioning and hoping that I would've been able to meet up with John, as I will be stationed at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda in OCT 06. I was deeply saddened, when I learned of his passing, via a Google search as I often check on the heroes I've met and served over in Germany. John and all the troops have been my biggest inspiration to do well in the Navy and in school because NOTHING compares to combat. They are my knights in shining hospital gowns. John is my hero and I will always love him for that. He will be missed by many. May God watch over his family in this difficult time. For his service to this great nation of ours, I say "Bravo Zulu" which in Navy-speak means "Job well done." It was a honor and a pleasure to know Captain John E. Smathers, USAR.

I only met Mr. Smathers recently before his passing. So I did not know him well. It was devastating to hear the news. But after reading all of the entries in this book, he must have been an amazing person. Another jewel lost but not forgotten. He will rest in peace until he is awakened. Daniel 12:2, Luke 23:43. My condolences to his family and friends, and his beloved companion Scout.

John is our generation's hero for his outstanding service to our country in Iraq. I was fortunate to know John as a teammate at Catholic Univ. and met up with him in Iraq. He discribed to me the mission he lead the previous night in Bagdad, where they captured two of the top Baathist on the 52 card deck. John showed us how to live life to its fullest.God Bless you John.

I am proud to be able to say that I knew this wonderful man. We were classmates at Catholic U.. It is incredible the wonderful man he turned into. He will sorely be missed by those near and dear to him. My condolences to Mrs. Smathers and John's sisters. Although it is painful now, you can rest assured that John is in a better place now.

We had the pleasure of knowing John through our church. He was a great guy and as one person already said, "Had an addictive smile"! Beautiful person that will be missed. Thanks again for the contribution to our country. We will see you in Glory. God Bless you, The Kolbe's.

It is Rebecca, your friend for the last 10 years, your previous girlfriend for a couple of those years. Thank you for sharing your time in Iraq with me through all of your emails and letters. Lindsay is heartbroken but will be ok, she is a reflection of you and I am so honored to know her now. Scout lost the twinkle in his eye, his face looks lifeless but he is being cared for by the one person that you found as your soul mate, he and Judy will be fine! I miss you so much and I will love you forever too. I am your girl John, now and always, your friend.

My heartfelt sympathies to the Smathers family on the loss of John who was a classmate at Catholic U. Although on the opposite of the isle, John displayed a love of life and served his country proudly and with honor. I will always remember the map of the world he hung in his room tracking the progress of Democracy. I'll also remember his fierce determination on the football field. God bless.

My sympathies and condolences to the friends and family of Captain John Smathers. I had the distinct privilege and honor of knowing John through the US Army Reserves, we served together in the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade. For quite sometime we were the only two captains in the unit so we spoke often. The last time I saw John in Iraq was late 2003, a short time before he was badly wounded. It was not until a few months ago that I had the chance to meet John again at drill. I was very happy to see him and to see that he was on the mend and that he had Scout. John was positive and moving forward. I was very happy to see him again. I am very saddened by his passing. John was an outstanding officer and I will always count myself honored and privileged to have served with him.

My prayers go out to John and his family. I grew up with John at Holy Family parish in Hillcrest Heights. We played on the baseball and soccer teams together. John always had a lot of fun at whatever he participated in. I have lots of happy memories of John. May God bless him and bring him happiness in heaven.

My deepest, heartfelt sympathies and prayers for John's family and friends.He was a dear family friend and a permanent fixture in my household.John was my brother's friend and oh, what I saw/heard! Any story involving John was simply incredible, as all who knew him experienced. As John grew into a man, he maintain a deep friendship with my father.Dad coached him on the Holy Family basball team, we cheered him on through law school, and were both proud and humbled when he joined the reserves. John was and will always be an icon of bravery, matchless wit, sharp intellect, and a loving/sweet heart. (He even took me to my junior prom because I did not have a date.) As my father would often say, "John was a real man's, man".Given John's devotion to Scout, it is only fitting that God took you just before the start of the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Dog.God bless you John! You are in my heart always, thank you for being in our lives. The way you lived your life and all of who you were and are has touched me deeply. I am quite certain you and the "old man" are together, swapping stories, as you so often did, throughout your amazing life. The heavens are booming with your laughter. I can almost hear it.....until we meet again.

With love and gratitude,

My thoughts and prayers are with John and his family. I knew John through his sisters in grade school.

John was such a unique guy having known him since the Hillcrest Heights/HF days. We still owed him "dinner" for some great legal advice he gave us in 1995. He just wouldn't take anything. Such a trooper and kind person. We were so proud of his service to his country and his service to his friends. God is the lucky one now!

john was a good man, and friend of the family.peace john.

What a wonderful guy John Smathers was, and what an amazing and good, full life he led. This is a great loss, and my thoughts, my prayers go out to John's family and friends and all his loved ones. I know he will be taken care of and be an incredibly welcomed guest in Heaven. God Bless John, and I also want to say that I pray for strength and help in mending a broken heart in Lindsay. Hugs to Scout and Judy. You had a one of a kind Master here on earth.

My heartfelt prayers to the Smathers family. I thank you for sharing John with us. His infectious smile will never be forgotten. To John I say, WELL DONE, for the life you led and the many lives you touched.

What a GREAT guy. My heart goes out to family and friends.

Dear Smathers family,

I had the honor of serving with John in Iraq. There we formed a friendship and a bond that transcends even death. He is a great man,soldier,brother and friend. He will be missed but remembered for ever. Mrs. Smathers it was an honor to meet you and I wish you well. You all are my family now as I too have lost a brother.

See you when I see you John.

Ben, Laura and Kendall LaPierre

I just want to tell the world how proud i am to have been one of the few women who john smathers ,our national hero, chose to share his inner life with as a girlfriend for a time and true friend. I have never known a kinder soul and more honest man. My heart felt sympathies to his last love and family and of course-- scout...my prayers w/you and john but he is a soldier at gods table now as he was probably the man he needed for the job. He certainly was qualified. I love u always john...Brandi

May God bless John and his unwavering spirit of service to his fellow man and his country. His compassion and love for man's best friend is truly exemplified by his devotion to his beloved Scout.We were deeply touched by the story of his determination to bring home his beloved companion. His love will always remain in Scout's heart. We are eternally indebited to him for his courageous efforts to protect his country and for his leadership of his fellow soldiers

in this most horrific war. To the

Smathers family---the pride you feel and your loving memories of

your son, brother and uncle will surely be a source of comfort in this great loss. Our thoughts

and prayers are with your and we

truly share your grief---as well as your pride.



Dr.& Mrs. F. Keen Blaker

never met you but read and saw your story about your love for the dog scout - may you rest in peace

John, Thank you for protecting me and my family. God bless you and your family.

John Smathers is a great man. He and I served together in the 354 CD BDE and met quite frequently while overseas in Baghdad. I modeled my demeneanor after John, he was always so collected, always thinking, always using his incredibly sharp intellect to help his fellow troops, help Iraqis and help any other individual that crossed his path.

The world has lost a great man but the heavens have gained a bright star.

To the family Captain John E. Smathers, I am a Sergeant in the United States Army Reserve with the 80th Division 3/318th MP-OSUT unit at Fort George G. Meade, MD. I was touched by your loss and I salute the hero that he was in his representation of the Unites States Army. Please know that we will never forget his accomplishments and I will make my comrades aware of the loss this weekend at Battle Training Assembly.

GOD bless you.

I only know of John as a great friend to my sister and her family and as an honorable soldier with character and integrity. It's always sad to lose a "good guy." God has embraced him. My sincerest condolences to his mother.

We met Cpt. Smathers when he addressed our grandson's boy scout troop in Laurel, Maryland. He was an inspiration, not only to all the young boys who gathered but also to us as well. We will not forget what Don did for our country and what he did for those boys that night.

My most heartfelt condolences are extended to the Smather's family. John was a true man of integrity, valor and compassion and I am honored to have been his friend. With warm memories, Jackie Harding

Our sincere sympathies to the entire Smather's family. We are so proud to have known John. The world has lost a hero. Mr. & Mrs. Fred Trefry

With great sadness, I learned of the loss to family, friends and country, of John Smathers. I only knew him through his appearance on C-SPAN, which I taped, and have watched several times. He was such a terrific spokesman for all the brave warriors who serve our nation.

PLease accept my sincere condolences and appreciation for his service and sacrifice.

It was so sad to hear John is not with us anymore. I remember the days of when John was a lawclerk just starting out in his career. He was bright, energetic and loved his work. He had accomplished so much in his short lifetime. We are all very proud of him and he will be greatly missed.

Thank you for your service to our country, and the commitment and compassion you showed toward a lonely little puppy in Iraq, who now has a home and people to love him. God bless you, your family and Scout.

REST WELL, GOOD BUDDY, FOR YOU HAVE ACHIEVED A LIFE WELL-LIVED, AND AN EVERLASTING PEACE DESERVED. MISS YOU ALREADY.

I was a classmate with John at Catholic University, Class of 1980. He was a Politics major and an excellent student, the chapter president of the Pi Gamma Mu National Honor Society. As President of the CUA Chapter of the College Republicans, John organized a debate on Affirmative Action that featured Republican Congressman Bob Walker and liberal icon Joe Rauh, allowing students to hear both sides of the issue. He also was an undersized, overachieving starting cornerback on the CUA football team. I last spoke to John a number of years ago when he was an Assistant State's Attorney in Prince George's County in connection with a defendant I represented. He was gracious and professional. John was truly a great American and another example of how too often the good die young.

I think of John leading the Laurel Main Street parade as the grand marshall with his dear mom by his side. He is our town's hero. I think of him as our dear friend.

Our deepest sympathy to Fran and all of John's family. He was a much loved hero. You are all in our prayers.

Please accept my condolences. May God bless Capt. Smathers' loved ones with peace and comfort.

I was so sad to hear of the loss of John. What an honor it must have been to call him brother and son. He has left so many wonderful memories, I know you will cherish each of them dearly. I will be praying for each of you during this difficult time. God is strong when we are not, lean in on Him.

Rest in Peace John Smathers. You were a true a hero and a patriot. Thank you for your service in the cause of freedom and your service to our country. My sincerest condolences to your loving family.

Dear John's family,

My family and I are praying for you. I know John will be missed. God bless.

Love, Carly

I am very proud to say John was my godfather. He will be watching over you and me. God bless you.

My deepest condolances go out to the Smathers family with the loss of your son & brother. I learned of John Smathers through the CBS evening news and his rescue of his faithful companion Scout from Iraq. The story that day months ago touched my soul and to learn of his death tonight on the same CBS news was devastating to me. I know that the kindness that he showed both mankind and animals while he was here on earth will shine in the heavens above forever.



Sincerely,



Linda Brechon

I thank God for American Heros like Captain Smathers and am humbled by his sacrifice. May God give his family and friends comfort. I will shake this man's hand when I meet him in heaven.

Torossian Family,

Woodridge, IL

The prayers of all of us at Liberty Christian School are with the Smathers family at this time of great sadness. May God's grace carry all of you through this time.

John was an excellent officer and judge advocate. I had the pleasure to serve with him when he was an IMA with 5th Special Forces Group. He was a credit to the Army.

Although we worked together only occasionally, I was very proud of all your accomplishments. You did everything you set out to do and went out a hero and with great honor.I hope you can hear me say 'Thank you'.

While there is much pain to bear for John's family and friends,deep in their hearts he will reside in the joy of their love.

My deepest condolences to the Smathers Family, his colleagues, friends and fellow Soldiers. I served with John in Iraq, I knew him as a lawyer and out of uniform was graced by his friendship. John exemplified what it means to be an Army Officer, possessed a brilliant legal mind, and was a steadfast true friend. I will forever remember him fondly playing with Scout, he is deeply missed. -Meredith

Rest in peace, John. God bless. I'm proud of all you've done.

me and my family were johns good neighbors for a long time. he was a great friend of the familys and he was just a wonderful person. may he rest in peace.

My sympathy to the Smathers family.I have the fondest memories of playing football at CUA with John.We competed like warriors but off the field John was energetic,upbeat and great fun to be around.I'm smiling as I write this in his memory.He's in a

better place.-Mike Stotz

Rest in peace, John. God bless.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Smathers family. John was our friend and neighbor for many years in Bowie. The news of his passing has left me absolutely speechless. We have so many great memories of John. From watching him play football out front with the neighborhood kids to helping him look for "Maggie" on nights she didn't return home. Our 4th of July gatherings where we could always count on John to arrive in time for my "buffalo wings." Cat-sitting when he left for the reserves. Our wonderful memories go on and on about John Smathers and his presence in our lives. He was admired by my children and a great friend of mine. We will miss him very much.

Watching the news last evening and hearing about Mr. Smathers and Scout and Judy, it seems like Mr. Smathers was such a compassionate man in his life. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Smathers family and friends and his co-workers. I am sure he will be missed very much.

John was a delightful person to know. He will be missed terribly. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.

Words can not heal the loss, I hope that love and your memories will.

Robin Campbell

Assignment

Prince George's County Circuit Court

My deepest condolences to the Smathers Family and his friends. John was not only a great person, but a true Hero. He will be sadly missed, but greatly remembered.



"Step forward now, you soldier,

You've borne your burdens well.

Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,

You've done your time in Hell."

-Unknown

May all of us whose lives John touched be grateful for the gift of his love and friendship, and may we never forget the sacrifice he made to protect our country and our freedom. Thank you, John. May you rest in peace.

John was truly a Hero in every aspect of his life. So many people were touched by him both here and abroad.

Sincerely,

James and Paula Small

Norwich, Connecticut