Soldier Wounded in Afghanistan Helps Other Vets

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF-TV) – For ten years now we’ve heard about the almost-daily loss of American troops in fighting in Afghanistan or Iraq.
What we don’t hear much about is the sacrifice made by those who returned from the war–but who still bear the scars.
An Apison soldier and his wife wanted to do something for the young men and women who need more than the government provides, as they rebuild their lives.

Those roadside IED’s in Afghanistan and Iraq didn’t just destroy vehicles, they maimed and killed hundreds of American servicemen and women.
Sgt. Andrew Smith of Apison returned home after spending 22 months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center—he lost both legs to an IED in 2012.
Sgt. Smith and his wife Tori now have a handicap-accessible home, but they haven’t forgotten others who are still rebuilding their lives.
They started "Honoring the Sacrifice."

SGT.ANDREW SMITH, HONORING THE SACRIFICE "Well, the reason why we wanted to start our own..is because of our own personal experiences. I was wounded,and my wife and I together were at the hospital and we know personally a lot of things that these families go through. "

In the past year they have raised 130-thousand dollars for "Honoring the Sacrifice". It was done with an all-volunteer board.

SGT.ANDREW SMITH, US ARMY RETIRED, "HONORING THE SACRIFICE " "A lot of other organizations, they have a lot of costs associated with it…where our organization is 100% volunteer …no one gets paid for it …We want to try to help on a direct personal basis."
TORI SMITH, SOLDIER’S WIFE, "HONORING THE SACRIFICE" "For us, we can take 100% of that and pass it on to the next soldier, the next marine that needs help."

The organization, a 501-C3 charity is now helping other former soldiers in several communities, and as far away as Colorado.

TORI SMITH "Its actually real exciting for us. Just yesterday we were able to send 15-thousand dollars to a title company in middle Tennessee to help Sgt. Franz Walkup and his lovely Shannon purchase their land, cause they are going to build themselves a home."

Andrew and Tori says they’ve found something they can do for a long time to help other soldiers.

They say most of their money is raised from small contributions throughout the year..and on their web page "Honoring the Sacrifice."
The organization also holds a gold tournament and a fund-raising dinner every year.