Scroll down to see the video of Ralph Smith.
By Roger Poole – a Bryant resident, a retiree from Entergy in Little Rock, and an Air Force veteran.
My wife told me a couple or two days ago about a “Meet and Greet” that was to be held for veterans. She told me it would be at the library in Bryant on Saturday April 21, 2018. I decided to go.
I discovered right off that the veterans who showed up are special people. The event intended to recognize their service is special too, because it was not just for one particular Saturday. Turns out the event is set up for every third Saturday of every month.
When I arrived at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library in Bryant, I thought I had pulled into the Sears lot on University Avenue. Not-a-lot-a cars parked there. My first thought was. “I’m at the wrong dang liberry.” That’s right; when I cuss I tend to mispronounce words. Well I decided to take my pick of the many slots available and after three minor adjustments I was able to back in to a spot one row away from the front door. The right rear tire only had two grooves on the white line. Perfect! I gathered up my gear and headed inside. By gear, I mean my adjustable tripod fitted with the extra iPhone that I use exclusively as a camera.
As I walked inside, I noted the markings on the back of one of the few cars that were parked there near the front door. One sticker said “WWII” another said Korea and the license plate said “Purple Heart.” I thought to myself, “Man, this dude must be old.”
Turns out he is old and proud of it. You’ll see on the video that Ralph Smith is in fact 93. Don’t think that because of his age he has less on the beam. Fact is Ralph’s light shines halogen hot and LED bright. Speaking of the accompanying video, he shares some of his experiences in the military across two wars.
Besides Ralph, others in attendance this date were Gary Moore, Norman Clark, Library Event Coordinator Yvonne Dougherty, and me, Roger Poole.
More video will surely follow involving other vets as I sort out and edit more for later.
This is your MySaline.com cub reporter, Roger Poole signing off and as the doctor told the young couple expecting quadruplets, “May the fours be with you.”