By NOREEN HYSLOPSEMO News Service
BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- There seems to be no better fit for Tammy Smith than to serve as director of the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
Prior to being named to the top post at the cemetery Smith served for 15 years under the former director, Ken Swearengin.
"We were actually here in 2002 before the groundbreaking for the cemetery," Smith explains. "I was the cemetery representative, and my general duties included accounts payable, time sheets, eligibility determination, purchasing, general office duties and occasional public speaking engagement."
When Swearengin retired in 2017, the pick for his successor seemed obvious. Smith had learned from one of the best.
Though not a veteran herself, love of country runs deep in Smith's past. Her father and father's brother both served in the U.S. military, and her father is interred at the Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.
"My father was a very patriotic man and loved his country very much," she says. "His values were passed along to my siblings and to me."
Smith is committed to the Mission of the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery -- "to provide veterans with timely benefits assistance, skilled nursing care and a final resting place, with a vision to support veterans of the past, present and future."
Her experience in working with the families of veterans and with veterans themselves over the past several years has only solidified her appreciation of those who serve.
"Work with the veterans for any time at all, and you realize they are so very special," she says. "It cannot be stressed enough that this country is what it is -- free -- because of the bravery, the sacrifice and the determination of men and women who put on a uniform and stood up to defend all of us without ever knowing us personally."
Since 2002, there have been 3,265 interments at the cemetery. Many of that number are spouses of veterans, referred to by Smith as "second interments."
"There are 11,747 plots in this half of the cemetery," Smith says, referring to the currently developed portion of the cemetery. The yet undeveloped land that is part of the cemetery will will accommodate another 15,000 interments.
As many veterans' services with full military rites that Smith has witnessed in 15 years, her emotions still take over at times.
"I still tear up during 'Taps,'" she says, "and when we have our annual Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Wreaths Across America ceremonies, I'm always moved by the attendance and support of the community who pay respect to our veterans at every program. I know I have never worked for any group more special than our veterans and their families."
Smith is assisted at the cemetery by Deanna Crawford, who serves in the capacity Smith once did. Crawford assists with purchasing, scheduling services, ordering monuments, accounts payable and in several other capacities. Crawford formerly worked for the Division of Youth Services for 20 years as both a youth specialist and office support assistant.