Posted by Renee Stokley on April 05, 2008 at 08:47:52:
In Reply to: “The Day David Smith meet the CG. Of 3rd AD" posted by Larry Kastriba on April 04, 2008 at 15:15:28:
: The CG looks David Smith straight in the eye and ask him “Son what do you do when your coveralls get dirty” Smith looks back at the CG and said in his slow Texas drawl Ok Time for my all time favorite Army story. How many of you remember David Smith he was a PFC, always needed a shower and got caught selling hash form his second floor room window by CID. Know you remember ???????
: It was a lovely summer day in Graf, the team was out supporting 2/33 Armor Lets see there was Jerry Schellings, Donnie Miller, Rick Bock, Myself and David Smith. The Battalion Motor Sergeant came up to me and told me that MG Umler was in the Motor Pool and I need to make sure everyone was doing what they should. Donnie Miller and David Smith where putting an engine in a Goat. So that’s where I went first. I figured if there was anywhere in all of Graf that the CG would show up it would be where ever David Smith was. Just as I got to where they where changing the Goat engine out I heard the BMS call at ease and there stood the CG, the CO of 2/33,along with the BMO, BMT and BMS of 2/33. The BMO pointed to me and told the CG how I was and what we where doing. Miller and Smith keep working as the CG asked me some questions about this and that, things Division Commanders always ask when visiting the troops. I stood almost at attention and answered him with short answers hoping he would just walk away. No such luck, the CG then walks over to the engine that was sitting on jack stands and started talking to Smith. As far as Smith is concerned this was just so old guy with stars on his hat he could have cared less if the guy was the CG or another PFC. he asked Smith some questions and then made a general comment about the way Smith’s coveralls Looked ( they where bad really dirty, covered in oil, grease and enough Graf dust to build a road).
: “I WASH THEM” I wanted to bust out laughing but knew better and bit my lip. I was not the only one either, a quick look at the faces of the CO 2/33 Armor and the General’s Aid both showed smiles too. I then looked at the ground hoping this would all end now.
: The CG was a bit taken a back by the answer he got , shock his head, and said to Smith in a somewhat testy voice “My god son I figured that, What I want to know is where you wash them” Smith was now confused now, his face showed the question of “is this guy is pulling my leg or what”, and with all honesty answered back “IN A WASHING MACHINE”. At that, the General realized that Smith was not being a smart ass he was being himself and started laughing as did the rest of us. The CG looked at Smith than at each of us and said “I really walked into that, didn’t I” he continued laughing softly We all saluted and MG Umler just walked away still laughing softly.
: P S Capt. Stevenson did tell me later to make sure Smith at least know to stand at attention when talking to a General Officer
Smitty went up to bat for me once....remember the guy that got chaptered out named Nordick? We used to call him No dick. One day he thought he was going to hit me with a wrench in the shop.
Smitty put him up against the wall and corrected him very quickly.