Jonah M. Kessel / Tahoe Daily Tribune
It was a hero's parade on the birthday of a South Lake Tahoe man who made the ultimate sacrifice.
And so it was that Sgt. Timothy Smith may have looked down on all the hundreds of red, white and blue balloons launched from El Dorado Beach on Saturday. And maybe he kept two red ones tied together, floating and watching over the 400-plus friends and family who gathered to celebrate what would have been his 26th birthday.
It would have been so like Smith to keep the people who loved and respected him in such great suspense. He was, after all, the ultimate jokester. He loved to watch people react to his antics.
Hundreds of balloons were sent up, soaring thousands of feet with the north wind. The two red ones stuck it out and danced and swirled and waited close by the shore.
But the balloons weren't as ironical as what came seconds before they were even launched. Out of nowhere and seen by many - a bald eagle flew overhead as El Dorado County Supervisor Norma Santiago proclaimed Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008, Timothy Smith Day.
Will never be forgotten
Army Sgt. Smith was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb on April 7, 2008.
Yet the hundreds who attended the first South Shore "red-shirt walk" to honor Smith insist the young man's spirit will always live on because those who knew him will never forget him.
"He was my gold-mining, trout-fishing, camping-buddy, beer-drinking, joke-telling best friend," said Tim Enterline of Meyers who grew up with Smith from pre-school to high school.
Clad in a red Sgt. Timothy "Timmy" Smith T-shirt, Enterline and his 7-year-old son, Michael, joined more than 400 people who streamed down Highway 50 from Safeway to El Dorado Beach to pay their respects.
The "red-shirt walk" may continue on in Smith's name as it does every Friday in Carson City.
Support shown from
families who've lost their sons
Smith's family contacted the uncle of a Carson Valley soldier who was killed in Afghanistan to set up the event on Saturday. Joshua Rodgers of Carson City was killed when his CH47 Chinook was shot down May 30, 2007.
"This is something we want to do for our son and for all the soldiers. With today being Tim's birthday we're here for Tim," said Rodgers mother, Debbie Walker.
There were others who lost a son in the war who joined in the march. South Lake Tahoe Police Sgt. Brad Williams spoke with Timothy's mother, Patricia Smith, moments before the parade began.
On Oct. 9, 2006, Pfc. Phillip Brandon Williams was killed by a sniper's bullet in Iraq. Williams was the first military casualty of the war with ties to Lake Tahoe.
"No man is an island to himself. Both of our sons have had an affect with the community and the individuals who make up the community. Whether it be their home towns, the United States or the world," Williams said.
A mother's strength
The strength of Patricia Smith, clad in military fatigues, was apparent. Her heavy eyes were combined with a mixture of sadness and pride, and - was at times - overwhelmed by the well-wishers who marched in support of her son.
"I know that a lot of people here knew my son personally. And I know a lot of people know of him who are here," Patricia Smith said. "This community has really helped keep my son's memory alive."
Smith is survived by wife, Shayna Richard-Smith; two-year-old son, Riley; mother Patricia Smith of South Lake Tahoe; father Michael Smith of Reno; brother Tommy Smith and sister Jackie Smith, both of South Lake Tahoe.