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Today's Featured Biography
Wesley Smith
Wesley Foster Smith, son of Foster and Barbara (Adams) Smith, was born 10 July 1950 at Burlington, VT. He married Corazon Baylon (pronounced by-lawn) on 5 April 1973 at Angeles City, Philippines. He adopted her two daughters Mary Grace and Mary Ann, and later Cora’s orphaned niece, Josephine. Wesley lived in Richmond, VT for about the first year of his life, then moved to Port Henry, NY, where he lived until his parents separated in 1964. Subsequently, he lived in Burlington, VT. He graduated from Burlington High School in June 1968, and attended Albion College, Albion, MI for one semester that fall. Returning to Burlington, he worked for the J.C. Penney Company and drove taxi for Yellow Checker Cab Company until December 1970, when he joined the United States Air Force. Wesley had a highly successful military career. He was trained as a Security Policeman; promoted well ahead of his peers. He served at Westover AFB, MA; Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand; Loring AFB, ME; USAF Security Police Academy, Lackland AFB, TX; Pease AFB, NH; and Andersen AFB, Guam; with temporary assignments in Australia, Bangor IAP, ME, Okinawa, Philippines, and Vietnam. He served in numerous capacities including Shift Commander (a commissioned officer's position), Flight Chief, Security Superintendent, and First Sergeant, as well as Instructor and Instructor Supervisor at the USAF Security Police Academy. Additional duties included Security Advisor to the Wing Battle Staffs of both Pease AFB, NH and Andersen AFB, Guam; as well as Security Advisor to General Rubin Autry, Commander, 3rd Air Division, Andersen AFB, Guam. Military honors include Master Instructor Certification and Distinguished Graduate from the Air Training Command Noncommissioned Officers Academy. Wesley took advantage of every available educational opportunity and ultimately graduated Cum Laude from the University of New Hampshire, School for Lifelong Learning in 1981 with a Bachelors Degree in Human Behavior. He also completed two Associate Degrees with the Community College of the Air Force in Police Science and Instructor in Technology. Wesley’s military decorations include: two Air Force Meritorious Service Medals; two Air Force Commendation Medals; the Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation with a “V” for valor in combat and one silver oak leaf cluster; the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with two Campaign Stars; the Air Force Longevity Award Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters; the noncommissioned Officers Professional Military Education Graduation Ribbon; the Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon with Star; the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. While stationed in Thailand in 1972, Wesley was struck down with Rheumatic Heart Disease and almost died. During his recovery at USAF Regional Hospital, Clark AB, Philippines, he met Corazon, his future wife. In 1984, Wesley ended his military career at fourteen years, because of continued medical problems associated with his heart disease. He and his family returned to Vermont, then in 1990, moved to Florida. Wes remained in the security and law enforcement field, working over ten years with the KMart Corporation Security and Loss Control Division in Vermont and Florida, two years at Shelburne Museum in Vermont as Protection Services Officer, and 18 months as a Site Supervisor (Broward County Courthouse) for the Wackenhut Corporation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In September 1997, Wesley went to work for the Broward County Sheriff, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, performing duties as Court Bailiff, assigned to Judge Victor Tobin (elected Chief Judge in 2007) of the 17th Judicial Circuit of the State of Florida. Subsequent to Judge Tobin's retirement, Wesley worked with Judge Ronald Rothschild until Judge Rothschild retired and worked for Judge Jack Tuter beginning in January 2013. Wesley retired on 31 July 2015. In 2006, Wesley received the Broward Sheriff’s Office Community Service Award for service during the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma in October 2005. Wesley was a member of Christ Church United Methodist Church in Fort Lauderdale, and sang baritone in the Chancel Choir for many years. On 1 Sep '09, Wesley auditioned for Nova Singers (Nova Southeastern University), and was immediately selected for membership in the organization. Nova Singers have sung at Carnegie Hall, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and in St Peters at the Vatican. CHILDREN: Wesley had no biological children, only the adopted daughters mentioned above.
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