Staff Sgt. Tara Smith

SGT Smith was my first army supervisor, she saw something in me and decided to take me under her wing. She was my mentor and I still continue to strive to be the leader she was. I still talk about her , I tell everyone how amazing she was and how big of a problem child I was before I met her. My attitude didn´t intimidate her and she made sure I knew so. If it wasn´t for her I don´t know how I would´ve turned out , I still follow her advise and I still wonder how her kiddos are. She always showed pictures of them and told me how much she loved them. After I left Korea her and I continue to talk through the army messages system . I told her how excited I was to deploy and she continue to mentor me while she was in Afghanistan. When I heard the news I was in shock since we had exchanged messages within the week. I couldn´t believe She was gone. Thank you Tara , for being such a great mentor and example of what true leadership means. I miss you and I wish you were still with us .

To the family I´m sorry for your loss, just know she is still remember her by many of those she impacted during her career.

With love, respect, and admiration ,
Vanessa Jimenez aka the problem child

To T. Smith Family,
I still miss my friend. We were stationed together in Korea. I have looked at this page daily and didn't have the strength to say anything. That girl could put a smile on your face even when you didn't want to smile. We spent plenty of days talking about family and friends. I have some pictures of her when we were in Korea together. I miss her so much. I'm still praying for her husband and boys. Love always Donna

As I am getting ready to post many pictures of past Army friends, brothers and sisters, Tara came up in my ANCOC folder. What a hoot that gal, she was such a strong woman. If anyone has any family emails I would love to send them out, please let me know. I can be emailed at [email protected]. Bless you all for the love and support of her and the US Military.

To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Tara Smith:
Always remembering Tara. "Some gave all."

To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Tara Smith:
Please accept my remembrance of Tara on the anniversary of her passing and know that she will never be forgotten.

Today I found out that my little sister in arms passed. It hurts me so much to know that such a bright star has left us. We spent many fun filled times while stationed in Korea and I was so pround of her when she was promoted to Staff Sergeant. She was always a good friend and she will truely be missed. Rest in peace, we will meet again sis, love you.

To the family:
May the comfort from family and friends continue to strengthen you, and may you find comfort in the words found in the Holy Scriptures: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Tara Smith:
Remembering Tara on the anniversary of her passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

To My Best Friend/Mentor/Sister,

My days have never been the same. You are always on my mind even when I make decisions. I cry for you daily. You will never be forgotten. We talked late many nights, we even made plans for when we came back from deployment. I know I will see you again friend. I love you Tara J. Smith!! I know for sure that I have an Angel over me that I know.

Love your little sister......Sherrella Nixon #2

To My Best Friend/Mentor/Sister,

My days have never been the same. You are always on my mind even when I make decisions. I cry for you daily. You will never be forgotten. We talked late many nights, we even made plans for when we came back from deployment. I know I will see you again friend. I love you Tara J. Smith!! I know for sure that I have an Angel over me that I know.

Love you lil sister......Sherrella #2

Tara,
I will miss you! To her husband and sons, she was a very good person that always knew how to make you laugh when you were having a really bad day! I will miss you forever Tara! Danita
[email protected]

The NC Run for the Fallen will honor fallen troops from North Carolina at a Memorial Run on Saturday, May 29th, 8:30am, Ayden Grifton High School track, Hwy 11 S. Ayden NC. Each troop will be honored by a runner/walker who carries a flag in his memory for one mile. Please come join us in honoring our fallen troops. For more information contact Kathy Moore at 252-746-3435 after 5:00pm or email at [email protected]

Your legacy will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew you and shared in your struggle to protect our country and the ultimate sacrifice you gave so that we can be grateful for what we have. Your family, friends, loved ones and fellow soldiers will stay in my thoughts and prayers.
A Proud Military Mom.

We missing you smitty !!!!

I had the great pleasure of going to the Advanced NCO Course with Tara at Fort Gordon GA before she deployed. She was amazing, we all had such a good time with her. If anyone has any contact information for her family I have a dozen or more photos of her in class and contributing to our experience there. Please have them contact me at [email protected] or [email protected]. God bless her family and all who knew her.

To the family of Staff Sgt. Tara Smith:
Tara gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

On this day and with each day that we enjoy our freedom, I would like to give thanks and let you know that I do not take our troops for granted. May you experience God when you feel your loss.\

My heartfelt sympathy to the Smith family and friends in the loss of Tara. I did not know Tara, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. My heart was touched by the many wonderful/beautiful things written about you. Tara you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom

"TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS
OF THOSE YOU LEAVE BEHIND
IS NEVER TO DIE"

May time and loving memories ease your sorrow.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

So sorry to hear of your loss.

LEST WE FORGET

To the Smith Family:

May Good be with you in your time of need. Just remember that the grief will last just a minute but the beautiful memories of your love one will last forever!!!

May God Bless you.

STAFF SGT. TARA SMITH
You are my Hero may God keep you in his arms forever.

To the Smith Family:

Know that you are not alone as you begin your journey to grieve. I am traveling this journey with you as my son was deployed to heaven on 03-08-2009. The weeks and months to come will at times be very difficult as the pain will be unbearable. Know that there are many that suffer your loss. We are here for each other. Your daughter is a True American Hero who will never be forgotten.

May God find you comfort and peace to ease the hurt.

God Bless
Mother of a Fallen Hero
A True American Hero

To the Smith Family,
Our thoughts & prayers are with you. May God give you comfort & peace to ease your pain. Heroes never die; they remain in our hearts forever. We thank your loved one sincerely for her service and sacrifice to our country. We will never forget, God bless.

To the Smith Family,

I know there are no words to say at this time, except how sorry that I am. I truly feel your loss and pain. Tara shall never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

For those missing in action;
for those who didn’t make it home.
I know you’re in God’s presence you are not alone.
For every neatly folded flag;
for every shattered family
I will do the only thing I know to dignify your memory.

I salute you, allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
my humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.

I salute you .

Every second you sacrificed
I hold you in my prayers.
So with one hand on my heart and the other in the air;

I salute you, allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
my humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.

I salute you.

A Proud Aunt
SGT.David M Fisher
KIA 12/1/04

To the parents and family, I want you to know that you are not alone in the grief you are feeling. I know only too well what you are going through and what you will go through in the coming weeks and months ahead. You will have many questions as to why? You will have many things to get ready or go through and that should be done in time. Sometimes it just can’t be faced and that’s ok, for you will know when the time is right for you. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Grief is an individual journey, that unfortunately like my own self you now have to travel. It doesn’t matter how they died but how they lived that we should focus on. We know that each one in our military joined to make a difference in their own lives and to serve their country. Please know that each one no matter what is an American Hero and to be honored always and forever. I ask that God give the comfort, strength and courage that you are going to need. When and if the time is right for you please contact me. You can cry, vent, or just talk as only another person who has been where you are can really know what you are going through. May God continue to hold your hand as He gives comfort to you today and for the rest of your life.

http://goldstarfamilysupportgroup.com

In memory of my son
Spc Harry (Buck) Winkler III
KIA 11/12/06 Samarra, Iraq
82nd Airborne CO-A 2-505th PIR

We are so very sorry. Rest in peace.

SSgt. Tara Smith thank you for being the wind beneath our wings. You are a true model of excellence. I never got to know you but I somehow feel I've known you all my life. God has a beautiful angel guarding the gates of heaven now. God Bless you and your family. Peace be with you & your family.

Staff Sgt.Tara Smith-True American Hero. Thank you for your eternal service. Truly heaven has added another angel. Flags fly high in your honor across our country. God Bless you, God bless your family and give them peace of heart, and now more than ever, God bless the USA

The Final Salute

“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.

This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to our Sister-in-Arms SSgt. Tara Smith. To her family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Tara. And to Tara it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank her for the ultimate sacrifice she made for her country while opposing enemy forces in Afghanistan. No greater love is shown than a soldier lay down her life for another. Tara, you are a brave American Warrior, a true Patriot and a national Hero. With your passing, our Country has lost a National Treasure. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at ease. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of the 1,353 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion in Shreveport, Louisiana, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to Tara’s family and loved ones.

Dennis N. Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109

My deepest heart felt sympathy to the family of SSGT. Smith, I, as well as the nation thank her for her service to this country we so proudly call home.. "Thank You..."

My Deepest and Most Heartfelt Sympathy goes out to the family of SSgt. Tara Smith, with a Multitude of Thanks for this Brave Soldier's Courage, Dedication and Service to our Country and for Freedom.

The price Tara and the Smith family have paid, Will Never Be Forgotten. May your loved one Rest Safely, in God's Care and may the Peace of God be with you.
I am the Sister of a young hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Vietnam, many years ago.

"Surely He hath borne our grief,
And carried our sorrows."
~ Isaiah 53:4 ~

May you find comfort and strength, in the treasured memories of times spent with Tara.
Quietly and gently, may healing come, with each new day.
You are in my thoughts and my prayers.

REST IN PEACE STAFF SGT. SMITH TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY THE MEMORIES OF THIS WONDERFUL SOLDIERS LIFE FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
GOD BLESS YOU