We buried a brother today…
SrA Brad Smith was laid to rest today on a cold windy Monday morning surrounded by over 200 friends and family and over 150 TACP’s, both active and retired from across the depth and breadth of the careerfield. The sea of black berets over dress blues was stunning. To those that have been to military funerals you will know the picture: Circular formation around the grave site, the family under an awning. Flag, Gun Salute, playing of taps. All were in proper military order. At the end the family and a vast majority of the civilians left, except for the Brads father and Tiffany, Brads wife. Not one TACP moved. After several minutes of immobility, the TACP community formed up. Not a word was spoken. No command given. A single line of brothers. Each removing their flash from their beret and pinning it to the top of Brads coffin. On, and on the line went, until the final crest was attached. Each man as they pressed in their crest said their final good byes and reformed on the far side of the coffin. We were simply brothers saying goodbye. After a solemn pause, the funeral home crew went to work. As one, all saluted. Active, Retired, TACP and non. They first lowering Brads casket into its protective shell, moved in the cover, then lowering the entire assembly into the gravesite. Upon the final crank all recovered from the salute and began moving away. While Brad is gone from us physically, he will always be with us in spirit, and alive in our memories. Now, he forms up at a new rally point, awaiting the rest of us. Hooyah.
Funeral and other Pictures are here
Rest in peace, brother.
please obliterate those mother fuckers for me. thanks
brads wife tiffany
Tiffany, you, Chloe, and your family are in my prayers.
Tiff,
You got 1,100 screaming, blood thirsty, pitbulls off their leash that will bring vengance everyday, in your name!
Tiffany, words cannot express how sorry we all are for your loss. I did not know Brad personally but as a former TACP, the pain we all feel for a fallen brother is never forgotten. I have moved on into a training role but rest assured, my brother ROMADs still fighting the good fight will avenge him a thousand-fold! Never forget and please, when she is older and able to understand, tell your daughter the story of a great American who gave the ultimate sacrifice…your husband, Chloe’s father, our brother, Brad. Stay strong.
Tiffany,
We’ll do our best to deliver some appropriate and terrifying payback.
Brandon
Tiffany, You and your Family are in our prayers.
Tiffany-I have no doubt that there will be many Warthogs hitting their targets in the sandbox-special delivery from you, and vengence for Brad! I think a little remodeling is in order-the guys will make sure of it.
Tiffany,
My niece (Chelsea Roberts) sent me this piece. I and my husband (both prior Air force) will keep your husband in our prayers. Quiet your heart in knowing he did as his heart directed him.
Bless you and yours.
Mrs. Smith,
I am a cadet in AFROTC and am applying for a Air Liason Officer AFSC. I want you to know that your husband’s brave contribution to the Air Force and the world is why I wanted to join the Air Force in the first place. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers and use him as inspiration when I think that I have it tough. My prayers and thoughts, as well as Detachment 605’s best wishes, are with you and your family.
Please accept our sincere sympathizes…as an old TACP from the early 70’s, I can not begin to believe that I can feel the sense of loss…a good man for what we believe to be a noble cause…there is not much I can offer but the prayer of one of those to one whose suffering I can never imagine…to one that the pain never leaves….please accept our deepest condolences. May God Bless you and yours….