Q+A with Ted Smith

The bond between military personnel extends beyond the term of service for Sarasota County Veterans Commission Vice President and Chaplain Ted Smith. The Sarasota County Veterans Commission is a nonprofit composed of veterans organizations, military and patriotic associations and their auxiliaries dedicated to recognizing residents who have served. Smith served in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years and now finds helping what he estimates to be 50,000 veterans in Sarasota County to be his new call to service. For the downtown Sarasota Memorial Day Parade Monday, Smith will address guests on the topic of the cost of freedom after the parade’s conclusion at J.D. Hamel Park. 

Q: How does Sarasota celebrate veterans? 

A: When you look at someone who enlists in the military they have a start and a finish, but the oath they take is forever. A good example of that is the National Cemetery; it calls for service support whenever there is a veteran who is buried without any family. So we get a call and show up.

Q: Why is it important to you to honor our fallen veterans?

A: Coming from a family of veterans, my grandfather and two uncles, you get a sense of the duty that they did and the sacrifices they made. We were lucky as a family that they all returned from active duty.

I remember World War II as a youngster and my grandmother had two sons overseas, and I just remember her praying and the two stars she had in the front window. I always had a desire to join the military.

Q: What is the bond like between veterans?

A: It’s a brotherhood no matter what the military service was. Of course Marines have a special bond, as I’m sure all the other branches do, but we just feel a real brotherhood kin there. There is a desire to help each other. 

When you talk about boot camp, all services have boot camp. The Marine Corps boot camp is somewhat unique in that the psychology is to tear you all down to the same and build you back up as Marines. As a squad and a platoon you go through that and develop these relationships. Your success relies on teamwork. I haven’t been in combat but have had many friends who have, and you’re fighting for each other. When they say they have your back that’s a true motto.

Q: How can residents honor veterans year-round? 

A: The slogan for the parade is that “Freedom is Not Free.” My talk is simply to honor and remember. When you have someone who has lost a loved, every day is a memorial day. 

The easiest way is volunteering, and there are so many ways to do that, whether at the VA hospital, clinic or national cemetery or the honor flight, taking veterans up to the memorial.

Just a simple thing as flying the flag every day — especially on national holidays.

– Amanda Morales