545th Military Police Company
And the
Smith Range at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
As of January 26, 2012

SSG Shannon M. Smith, age 31, a humble man, who gave the ultimate sacrifice, died Tuesday, September the 8th, 2009 while serving his country on a military patrol in Baji, Iraq. A member of the 545th MP Company, stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska, he was deployed to Iraq in May of 2009. The Department of Defense announced on Thursday, the 10th of September 2009 that Army Staff Sergeant Smith and two other soldiers from the 545th MP Co, including PFC Zachary Myers and PFC Thomas F. Lyons died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an explosive device on Tuesday in Baji.

On Thursday, September 10, 2008, BG David Phillips who was at the time the MP School Commandant, Chief, Military Police Corps Regiment and is also a member of the 545th MP Company Association dispatched an email to all of SSG Smith’s Battle Buddies and friends with the sad news. The following day, although post regulations forbad such things, BG Phillips announced that a Range would be dedicated to the memory of SSG Smith and that the regulations would be changed at his direction. This information was immediately passed on to the unit association so that arrangements could be made for an appropriate ceremony and for the presence of the famed 545th MP Company Old Timers honor Guard at said ceremony.

BG David Phillips in his Cavalry Stetson and 545th MP Co Brass

On Monday, 20 September 2010 at 1030 HRS, Range # 14 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri was renamed and dedicated as Smith Range with subdued Pomp and Ceremony.

 

 

 

Entrance to Range 14, the SSG Shannon M. Smith Marksman/Observer Range

 

Range Dedication at Ft Leonard Wood

 

      

                                                  Page 1 of the Dedication Program                                        Page 2 of the Dedication Program

 

      

                                                       Page 3 of the Dedication Program                                       Page 4 of the Dedication Program

 

Introduction for this ceremony was made by SFC Fred Killea a 545th MP Company veteran and a member of the 545th MP Company Association Active Duty Honor Guard

 

The Opening Prayer and the Benediction of this range was made by the Regimental Chaplain, MAJ Jeff Jay

 

 

The Association Old Timers Honor Guard stands heads bowed at prayer

 

 
Present for the unveiling were (from left to right) CSM Kirkland, Regimental CSM, SSG Smith’s parents, Jim and Debbie Smith, Mrs Cassis Smith – wife, Kristi Smith, her sister and BG David Phillips

 

Immediately after the unveiling, SSG Smith’s mother touches the bronze plaque with reverence

 

Cassie Smith with the unveiled plaque

 

 

From left to right: SSG Ira Harrison, MSG Steven Stone, 1LT Jared Killea, CPT Michael Mixon, SSG John McQueen, SFC Carey Killea, SSG Victor Alvarez, SFC Fred Killea, SGT Daniel Russell and SSG Warren Sessler

 

 Our Old Timers Honor Guard in the Range Parking lot

 

This brick was placed in the Memorial Grove

 

There were many students from various branches of the military at the ceremony, note the Airman and the Marine

 

 



Refreshments were served upon conclusion of the ceremony

 

 

SSG Shannon M. Smith Marksmanship Observer Range Dedication, 20 Spetember 2010

at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Video

 

(Please turn off music at top of page to hear and watch the video)

 

 

 

 

SSG Smith Range

 

Sam Reinert
CPT MP USAR (Ret)
Founder
545th Military Police Company Association
626 1/2 South 9th Street
Richmond, Indiana 47374 USA
(765) 962 4627 phone & FAX
http://545thmpassn.com/