Staff writer
“No one else knows what you’ve been through except another veteran.”
Lori Chaput Smith of rural Lincolnville, knows what’s it’s like to serve in a war.
Coming from a military family, it seemed natural for Smith to join the military.
For 13 years she served with the 226th Engineering Company of Kansas National Guard, stationed out of Augusta.
In 2003, she served a six-month tour in Iraq. She was discharged from the military in November 2003.
And now, she wants to provide support to others who have experienced war by joining the American Legion, being the first female from the Iraq War to do so at the Marion post.
“It’s a tough transition from soldier to civilian,” Smith said. “It’s important for veterans to spend time with other veterans.”
She decided to join the James William Miesse American Legion Post 22 of Marion and its Ladies Auxiliary, because she was impressed with how active members were which is important to her.
“When serving in a war environment, you have support from your comrades. When you come home, it’s gone,” Smith said, with most experiencing “survivor’s guilt.”
It’s important to her to be able to network with other soldiers who have experienced combat.
“I hope to be able to provide support to other soldiers,” she said.
Monthly care packages are sent by members to those serving overseas.
“Those care packages are a tremendous support for soldiers,” Smith said, remembering how she and other soldiers looked forward to receiving them.
She’s also impressed with the post’s assistance to military families while loved ones are overseas.
“The Vietnam veterans have been providing these beautiful homecomings for Iraqi vets even though they didn’t receive the same welcomes. I want to give back.”
Smith said it wasn’t important which war a soldier served but that he or she served.
“We bleed the same. All of our families have been affected. It doesn’t matter which branch a person serves.”
Of five siblings in Smith’s late mother, Doris Chaput’s family, two served in the military with others marrying soldiers.
Smith’s father, Gary Chaput, is retired U.S. Air Force. Her younger brother, Brian, served in the U.S. Navy and in Desert Storm. She also has two cousins and an uncle who have served.
Now Smith is enjoying civilian life, working as a lab technician at St. Luke Hospital, Marion. She and husband Mark have a daughter, Elizabeth, who is 2½.
“Sometimes families can be forgotten but the Legion has programs to assist these families and I want to be a part of that,” Smith said.
For more information about joining the Legion, call post commander Jim Wilson at (316) 323-7808 or Gary Chaput at (620) 382-2754. Call Chaput for information about the American Legion Riders.
For more information about the American Legion Auxiliary, call president Karen Chaput at (620) 382-2754.
Todd Carpenter at (620) 382-2761 is the contact for the Sons of the American Legion.