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Army Private returns home for Christmas

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U.S. Army Pvt. Jennifer Smith has been away from home for six months and had a chance to spend Christmas with her family before heading to Schweinfurt, Germany in January. Smith will be in Schweinfurt for the next three years as a unit supply specialist.

By Julie N. Chang | The News Herald

Published: December 24, 2008

MORGANTON - "This is the best Christmas present in the world." U.S. Army Pvt. Jennifer Smith said of coming home for the holidays.

Smith, 18, found out in early December that she will be stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany as a unit supply specialist for the next three years.

Since then, Smith has patiently waited in Fort Lee, Va. for her port call.

Smith said she wasn't sure she would be able to come home until last week. She arrived home Saturday.

"I ran straight to my momma's house and hugged her and my brother. It was just wonderful," Smith said.

"I'm so happy she got to come home for the holidays," Smith's mother, Kathy Ray, said. "We're all real proud of her."

Both Smith and Ray said they intend to spend as much quality time together as possible. Smith is due in Schweinfurt on Jan. 19.

Smith, who was born and raised in Glen Alpine, received her GED from Western Piedmont Community College last December. She enlisted in the Army in July.

"There was nothing happening for me in Burke County, and I wanted to be well disciplined," Smith said. "The Army is the best thing that has happened in my life."

Smith spent two months at Fort Jackson, S.C. engaged in basic combat training before being stationed at Fort Lee.

"It's made me confident and I love who I am," Smith said. "I love the pride that I have for what I've done."

"I was very surprised because she joined on her own," Ray said. "She's very strong willed and disciplined now.

"We're at war so I'm a little apprehensive, but I think with this new administration that things will go better."

Ray is familiar with coping with family members in the service who are away for long amounts of time.

Smith's father, and Ray's first husband, grandfather and great grandfather served in the U.S. Air Force.

"It's real hard when they are away at Christmas or any holiday," Ray said.
Smith takes after her predecessors, she hopes to move into the Army's airborne unit in the future.

"I plan to make (the Army) my career and retire through the Army," Smith said.

"One thing the Army has done for me is it's made me think it's never enough. I can do more. I still believe that I can do better and go a step higher."