Shortly after graduating from high school in 1974, Laurie Anne Brechtel Smith left home in Redmond Washington. She followed in the footsteps of her father, Alvin E. Brechtel, who served in the Army Air Corp during World War II, by joining the United States Army Reserves. She headed to Fort McClellan Women’s Army Corp Center basic training in Anniston, Alabama. Then it was on to Fort Sam Houston Medical Training Center for Medic School. The last training school attended was Fort Lewis Madigan Army Medical Hospital in Tacoma Washington. After all the schooling there was traveling between Washington, California and Utah, finally settling down in Utah, stationed at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City, Utah. During military service came marriage to Lane Smith and the birth of their first child. In the summer of 1979, after 5 years of military service, Laurie returned to civilian life as a full-time wife and mother, never forgetting the many challenges, long time friendships and love of country.
We honor you, Laurie Anne Smith.