Courtesy Photo | Pfc. Kevin Smithers (left) and twin brother Pfc. Stephon Smithers, both food service...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Richard Matte
BAGHDAD—Soldiers’ first deployments can be a difficult adjustment. However, for the Smithers brothers of Canton, Miss., deploying together has made the transition easier.
Pfc. Kevin Smithers, a food service operations specialist with Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center and twin brother Pfc. Stephon Smithers, a food service operation specialist with 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., work together in the DeFleury Dining Facility at Camp Liberty, Iraq.
“Being deployed is different than I expected,” Stephon said. “At Camp Liberty, Soldiers are not sleeping in tents with 60 other people, or eating (meals, ready-to-eat).”
The Smithers brothers were raised in a family full of military veterans, including their father, Stephen, a retired sergeant first class in the Army. Partly because of a strong military upbringing and patriotic home life, both brothers enlisted in the Army in 2009, but did not go to basic training or advanced individual training together. Stephon went to basic training three months before Kevin and the two brothers met up again in June 2010, after completing their training, at Fort Riley, Kan.
Both Kevin and Stephon have strong family lives. Kevin and his wife, Nicole, have their two daughters. Stephon’s wife, Linzi, is seven months pregnant with their first child.
"My wife and kids are the people that keep me motivated,” Kevin said. “The smiles on their faces help me carry along. I love them with all my heart.”
Stephon said he’s been with his wife for five years and she has supported him in everything he has done.
“I know that she is going to have my back - now and in the future,” he said. “It has been hard for her with me being away and her being pregnant, but I try to make sure that she and my soon-to-be son are taken care of. That is my goal in life.”
In Iraq, Kevin and Stephon’s job is less demanding than in garrison. Instead of cooking all the meals and running all food service operations, their responsibilities are limited to taking headcounts and advising contractors.
“At times the job drags on and seems mundane, but the Smithers brothers always seem to keep their heads held high and keep smiles on their faces,” said Pfc. Brianna Zeller, a food service operations specialist with STB, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div. and a Phoenix native. “I don't know what I would do without my ‘Smittys’ here to keep me going. It is refreshing to know that (they) will provide a constant uplift.”
Since being deployed, the Smithers brothers have experienced some Family tragedy. Within the first 60 days of the deployment, the Smithers brothers lost their grandfather and were informed of the hospitalization of their grandmother. Stephon and Kevin said they were fortunate to have each other at their sides during such difficult times.
"My brother and I have always seemed to walk the same path and have been interested in the same things,” Kevin said. “It doesn't surprise me that we are in the same brigade, because fate always steps in when it deals with us. I am grateful that we have each other for support during our first deployment.”
Stephon said he has shared a room with his brother, graduated high school with him and played sports with him.
“We have been together our whole lives. So the fact that we are deployed together doesn't surprise me. All I can say is it's the ‘S and K’ connection we have.”
| Date Taken: | 02.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.05.2011 18:26 |
| Story ID: | 64886 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 47 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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