JROTC instructor is remembered

Posted on December 28, 2018

Veteran educator and JROTC instructor 1st Sgt. Eddie L. Smith was an inspiration to both co-workers and former students who will be remembered for the discipline, guidance, direction and dedication provided to the cadets that served under him during his 23-year career at Taylor County High School (TCHS).

“1st Sgt. Smith was not only a soldier, but an educator,” former Superintendent of Schools Paul Dyal said. “He took students in his classroom and gave them a purpose, developed self-discipline and taught them about respect. I always admired how he got the best out of each of his cadets. He will be missed.”

PHOTO: Current and former JROTC cadets helped honor 1st Sgt. Eddie Smith by contributing to a memorial shrine next to Ziegler’s Florist on Jefferson Street thanks to longtime JROTC supporter Rachel Maddox. The memorial has since been moved inside the JROTC classroom at TCHS.

Subscribe to our e-Edition and read the rest of the story. Already a subscriber? Click here to sign in.