On Sunday, September 24, 1961 at 12:30 a.m. a new face greeted the world from Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Virgil Lee Smith embarked on an incredible journey that has taken him around the world and brought him more experiences than he could've ever dreamed of. Here's a look at 50 amazing years. Happy Birthday, Dad, we hope the next 50 bring you just as much joy and adventure!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Time Capsule
Top Headlines the Week You Were Born
*Roger Maris hit HR #60 off Jack Fisher, tying Babe Ruth's record*
*Sandy Koufax set the NL strikeout season record at 269*
Top Songs in 1961
*The Lion Sleeps Tonight by Tokens*
*Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean*
*Pony Time by Chubby Checker*
*Take Good Care of My Baby by Bobby Vee*
*Runaway by Del Shannon*
*Tossin' and Turnin' by Bobby Lewis*
*Calcutta by Lawrence Welk*
*Wonderland By Night by Bert Kaempfert*
*Blue Moon by Marcels*
*Runaround Sue by Dion*
1961 Prices
*Bread: $0.21 / Loaf*
*Milk: $1.05 / Gallon*
*Eggs: $0.92 / Dozen*
*New Car: $2,275*
*New House: $18,800*
*Stamp: $0.04 / Each*
*Average Income: $6,471 / Year*
*Minimum Wage: $1.15 / Hour*
1961 T.V.
*Perry Mason*
*Leave it to Beaver*
*Bonanza*
*The Andy Griffith Show*
*Alfred Hitchcock Presents*
*The Flintstones*
*The Twilight Zone*
*The Dick Van Dyke Show*
* I Love Lucy*
*Gunsmoke*
New Toys in 1961
*Frosty the Sno-Cone Machine*
*Slip 'N Slide*
*Dick Tracy Wrist Radio*
*Stratego*
*Lie Detector*
*Little Red Spinning Wheel*
*Mr. Mix-It*
*Beany Copter*
U.S. President and Vice President in 1961
*John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson*
{Source can be found here}
"I might not be as big as a bear, but I'm smarter than the average bear." -Virgil Smith
Northern Exposure
He was born in Chicago and lived there until he was around 10 years old. While he was there he attended Stockton Elementary School where he was a crosswalk guard for other children and he got to wear a bright orange safety belt!
{He lived in this building in the first floor apartment on the right}
U.S. Army
Sergeant First Class Virgil Smith grew up in Swainsboro, GA where he began his military career in August 1986 as a Private First Class in the Army National Guard serving as an Engineer Equipment Operator. He completed Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonardwood, MO. Since then, Sergeant First Class Smith has served with A Company, 82nd Engineer Battallion, 7th Corps, Bamberg, Germany; A Company, 326 Engineer Battalion, 101st Air Assault Division Fort Campbell, KY; A Company, 40th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany; A, C, and HHC Companies, 317th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, GA; HHC Company, 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea; B and HHC Companies, 91st Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, and HHC Company, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Fort Hood, TX. Sergeant First Class Smith has deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, IFOR-Implementation Forces in Bosnia, and has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom twice. Sergeant First Class Smith has performed duties as Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Company Operations Sergeant,Battalion Ammunition NCOIC, Battalion S2, and Brigade Land Range, and Ammunition Manager.
He also attended Basic Airborne School, Air Assault School, and Jungle Operations Training.
Sergeant First Class Smith’s awards include the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (2nd oak leaf cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (3rd oak leaf cluster), the Good Conduct Medal (sixth award), the National Defense Service Ribbon (1 bronze star), the Southwest Asia Service Ribbon (3 bronze stars), Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (numeral 3), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 3), the NATO Medal, the Liberation of Kuwait Medal (Saudi Arabia), the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Kuwait), the Combat Action Badge, and the Drivers Badge (Wheel / Track).
Dad, you've always been our hero... even without the uniform. Thank you for your 21 years of service and sacrifice.
"Don't call me sir; I work for a living." -Virgil Smith
The Kids
He was blessed with two happy, healthy children in his life. The oldest is strong, tough as nails, loves hot wings and a cold beer.... her name Jennifer! The youngest is sensitive, gossipy, and watches reality television... his name is Shane. Just kidding... well, sort of! Regardless, we have loved being his children {for better or worse}. Some of our best memories are swimming, grilling, watching football, listening to "U Can't Touch This", and all serving in the military at the same time. Two moments that really stand out were a bike ride in Germany when Shane fell from his Huffy after getting his first peek at the female anatomy {at the tender age of 5} and a camping trip when a marshmallow caught on fire and melted into Jenn's face {campfire safety is no laughing matter}.
No matter how big we get, we'll always be your babies. Thank you for so many good times! We love you!
"You can advise, you can inform, you can suggest, but you can't tell me a damn thing!" -Virgil Smith
Fashion {Non}Sense
Some of our favorite memories regarding Dad involve his wardrobe. This is not meant to embarrass him, but rather point out how thankful we are that his fashion sense has evolved!
WARNING: All of what you are about to read is true!
He once owned a red and black jean jacket that he brought from the 80's well into the 90's.
He had a pair of... wait for it... emerald green slacks that he wore to church {more than once}.
He literally wore out a pair of black acid wash jean shorts. I was going to talk more about this, but there's so much wrong with that statement already that I'll leave it as is.
He had a pair of jeans that were white on the front and blue on the back.
He had a pair of multicolored striped shorts {purple, green, gold, black}.
He would get his jeans dry-cleaned with heavy starch and creases down the center of the legs.
He had velcro sandals and was well beyond the age of 4.
He wore out a tank top that had "Smitty" airbrushed on the front.
He has {present tense} a Hard Rock t-shirt that is extra wide {XXL} and extra short {think midriff}. We're working on sneaking this out of his luggage as soon as possible and burning it!
He wore out a tank top that had "Smitty" airbrushed on the front.
He has {present tense} a Hard Rock t-shirt that is extra wide {XXL} and extra short {think midriff}. We're working on sneaking this out of his luggage as soon as possible and burning it!
He wasn't completely uncool... back in the day he rocked what he calls a TWA {teeny weeny afro} and he looked pretty damn cool!
"There's only two things I'm sensitive about... my hair and my age." -Virgil Smith
Gooooooo DAWGS, Sic 'Em! Woof, Woof, Woof!
We are entirely convinced that Dad would have pursued a career in sports broadcasting had he not joined the Army. Although he is a fan of many sports and many teams, no other has held his heart the way the Georgia Bulldogs have. He sometimes "jokes" that he regrets not naming one of us Herschel Walker!
When we were younger, he would tell us stories of when he would watch the game on television, but turn off the sound so he could listen to Larry Munson call the plays over the radio. This is one of his favorites...
When we were younger, he would tell us stories of when he would watch the game on television, but turn off the sound so he could listen to Larry Munson call the plays over the radio. This is one of his favorites...
"If you eat your vegetables, live a good life and say your prayers, when you die you go to Athens." -Virgil Smith
Georgia is ALWAYS on his mind...
"There's only one great state and that is Georgia. All of the other ones are just countries." -Virgil Smith
Nifty Facts
*He does not eat cold food {sandwiches are the only exception}*
*He does not chew gum*
*He must eat with a big fork and a big spoon*
*He is never without a toothpick*
*He will not eat cheese that has not been melted*
*He’s a DAMN yankee*
*He does not eat chicken legs*
*He’s allergic to all food and as a result sneezes after every meal*
*He will not change stinky diapers*
*Before drinking from a can he removes the pull tab and drops it in*
*He will not drink water unless it is an emergency*
*He only drinks diet drinks {even his beer is light}*
*He was once a lifeguard*
*He was once a basketball coach*
*He’s a Dallas Mavericks fan*
*His favorite college basketball team is the University of North Carolina*
*He does not ride roller coasters*
*His nose was broken by a softball*
*His tooth was broken by a baseball*
*Once, he and his brothers threw their sister in the dumpster {true story}*
*He lived in Sylvester, Georgia before moving to Swainsboro*
*He has a nickname for EVERYONE*
*There are only two types of snakes he doesn't like... "dead ones and live ones"*
*He uses cinnamon toothpaste*
*His favorite Looney Tunes character is Foghorn Leghorn*
*His guilty pleasure is eating peach rings*
He can make a mean pecan pie*
*He does not ride roller coasters*
*His nose was broken by a softball*
*His tooth was broken by a baseball*
*Once, he and his brothers threw their sister in the dumpster {true story}*
*He lived in Sylvester, Georgia before moving to Swainsboro*
*He has a nickname for EVERYONE*
*There are only two types of snakes he doesn't like... "dead ones and live ones"*
*He uses cinnamon toothpaste*
*His favorite Looney Tunes character is Foghorn Leghorn*
*His guilty pleasure is eating peach rings*
He can make a mean pecan pie*
The Grandkids
He loves his 5 grandchildren {the Dawg Pound} with all his heart, but he wouldn't hesitate giving any one of them a FTF {fist to the forehead} if they dared utter the word... GRANDPA. So, being a hip grandparent who happens to love the Georgia Bulldogs {possibly more than his children} he dubbed himself "Pa Dawg" and it has stuck. The "Dawg Pound" wanted to share a few of their favorite things about their Pa...
Gav: "My favorite thing about Pa is the way he counts." {Ex: He will hold up 3 fingers and say the number 4}
Emmy Boo: "My favorite thing about Pa is that he calls everyone crazy names like Salad {Taco} and Boo {Emily}."
Lil' Man: "I think Pa Dawg is so funny. I love when he says, "Whaaaat, Lil' Man, whaaaat?".
Lil' Boo Boo: "Dooooooooooo doooooooo, woof!"
CC: "Ahh bah gaaah uhhhhh hehe huuuuuuhhhh."
Greatest Hits
He's had everything from an 8-track player to an iPod and even though his devices have changed through the years, his taste in music has remained one-of-a-kind! He has a wide variety of tunes in his arsenal, but one {rather two} things you won't find on his list are country and western. He claims these are the only two types of music he does not like. So, with that in mind, here's a little playlist of some of his favorites...
Rapper's Delight by The Sugarhill Gang
Fantasy by Mariah Carey & O.D.B.
It Takes Two by Rob Base
It Takes Two by Rob Base
You Dropped a Bomb on Me by The Gap Band
Gold Digger by Kanye West and Jamie Foxx
Centerfield by John Fogerty
Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
Twisted by Keith Sweat
Poison by Bell Biv DeVoe
More Than a Feeling by Boston
Twisted by Keith Sweat
Poison by Bell Biv DeVoe
More Than a Feeling by Boston
On Mariah Carey: "That girl is light, bright, and damn near white!" - Virgil Smith
Favorite Movie Quotes
Dad is not a huge movie fan, but he has a few favorites that have stuck with him over the years and here are some of those clips...
{Warning: The following clips contain explicit language}
His Favorite Number {and the age he uses on the ladies}
And... just in case we were completely wrong with this whole 50 thing... Happy 37th Birthday!
Words to Live By
“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa
“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
― George Bernard Shaw
― George Bernard Shaw
“Just when you think it can't get any worse, it can. And just when you think it can't get any better, it can.”
― Nicholas Sparks
― Nicholas Sparks
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
Forever Young
Dad,
You have had a wonderful adventure so far and we hope you continue your journey with the same spark for life that you've had from the start. Happy Birthday from the bottom of our hearts. We love you, old man!
Love,
The Fantastic 4 & The Fab 5
The beginning of a new chapter...
You have had a wonderful adventure so far and we hope you continue your journey with the same spark for life that you've had from the start. Happy Birthday from the bottom of our hearts. We love you, old man!
Love,
The Fantastic 4 & The Fab 5
The beginning of a new chapter...
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