" Peyton Smith only knew military life. He spent his entire 18 years in the Air Force in one way or another. Along the way, he made numerous best friends, ran through neighborhoods in OKC with just a diaper on, was handed off to family and friends when deployments called, went to more schools than most children should have to, persevered when ADHD challenged him, learned to play the saxophone enough to play the national anthem, solo, at my CoC, went back and forth to Massachusetts General Hospital Pediatric Cancer and The Jimmy Fund more times than any of us cared to count. Yet, he still managed to get to high school on the first day of his junior year despite having to wear shorts/extra clothes under his pants so they didn’t fall down because he had lost so much weight. Determination like you read about.
Military kids are just special. They just go out there and do and make the best of it because that is what is asked of them at every turn. Resiliency is in their DNA, often showing the military mom, dad, or both truly “what right looks like.” Again, they are so special and we do not celebrate them enough which is why with one week to go to the 5th Annual AirPeyton Memorial Walk/Run, Dani Hall Smith, Keegan, and I are celebrating Peyton.
I would like you all to join us in celebrating our military children by signing up for the 5th Annual AirPeyton memorial event this Sunday. It is both virtual and in person. If you can’t walk/run then consider donating $4.50 (via the link in the comment) which honors Peyton’s number he wore when he played baseball at Montpelier High School Athletics. If you don’t want to donate, that’s totally ok, please DM me your mailing address so I can send you a wicked epic memorial wrist band my dear friend designs every single year. The outside says, “Keeping Hope Alive”, and the inside is inscribed with, “Be Kind, Aware, Laugh, Smile, and Find a Cure.”
Let’s do this, Team.
Let’s do it for our kids.
Let’s do it for Peyton.
Thank you.
Love y’all".
- Matt Smith
Peyton's dad.