Family makes Guard service a tradition

June 24, 2012 at 5:57 a.m. | Updated June 24, 2012 at 5:57 a.m.

Michelle Smith, left, continues service to the National Guard, in the footsteps of her parents, Willie and Jeanne Smith. All three work for the Missouri National Guard.
Michelle Smith, left, continues service to the National Guard, in the footsteps of her parents, Willie and Jeanne Smith. All three work for the Missouri National Guard.

Commissioned in May, 2nd Lt. Michelle Smith has been in the Missouri Army National Guard since her junior year of high school.

Michelle was a bit nervous this month walking into her first drill weekend with her supply unit, where she now serves as an officer.

Her father, Maj. Willie Smith, has deployed twice. He has served for nearly 30 years, joining just out of college. And her mother, Master Sgt. Jeanne Smith, has been in the Guard 27 years, most recently working in administration with the family support office.

And Michelle's brother Tanner, 14, already is looking forward to military service, too.

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