Remebering Chief Warrant Officer Three, (Ret) Carter Smyre, Jr.
Floor Speech
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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a loving husband, outstanding father, proud grandfather, astute entrepreneur, distinguished military officer, faithful man of God and friend of longstanding, Chief Warrant Officer Three, (Ret) Carter Smyre, Jr. Sadly, CWO3 Smyre transitioned from labor to reward on April 12, 2024. A homegoing celebration attended by friends and family will be held on April 19, 2024, at the Ward Chapel AME Church in Columbus, Georgia.
The extraordinary life story of CWO3 Carter Smyre, Jr. began with his birth to the union of the late Staff Sergeant Carter Smyre, Sr. and Mrs. Selma Tinsley Smyre on June 7, 1925, in Griffin, Georgia. Following the example of his father, young Carter Smyre, Jr. set out to blaze his own path in the United States Army. One of his proudest moments was graduating from the U.S. Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, (now Fort Novosel) Alabama. For 25 years, he served his country, rising through the ranks and ultimately being appointed by the Secretary of the Army as Chief Warrant Officer Three--a technical leader, trainer, operator, maintainer, sustainer, integrator, and advisor. CWO3 Smyre's life was always the epitome of the Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, integrity, honor, and personal courage--values which give soldiers direction, purpose, and motivation to be, know, and do what is right. And for 98 years that has been his legacy.
Following his retirement from the Army, Carter Smyre owned and operated a grocery store, worked 10 years as a real estate agent at Carter Realty Company and then founded his own company, Smyre Realty Company which he operated for 42 years. He had immense joy when he was able to help others realize the dream of home ownership and because of his commitment to his craft and excellence, former Governor Joe Frank Harris appointed him to the Georgia Residential Housing and Finance Authority Board of Directors where he served the entire State of Georgia.
It has been said that ``The true person of success is not the person that climbs the ladder of this life with both hands but who climbs with one hand and reaches back with the other.'' Chief Warrant Officer Smyre always reached back to help others throughout the Chattahoochee Valley Area to include his beloved East Carver Heights Community, the Moderns Club and the Path Seekers Civic and Social Club to name a few.
On a personal note, CWO3 Smyre was a special friend and was ``family'' to my wife, Vivian, and me. He encouraged us to pursue our dreams and supported us every step of the way as he did for so many others who have been blessed by his wise advice, counsel, and mentorship. He led by example and because of that sterling example, others, including his beloved son, former State Representative Calvin Smyre, have thrived in service to others.
Carter Smyre accomplished much in life but none of this would have been possible without the grace of God, the love and support of his late wife, Mrs. Mildred Bass Smyre; his current wife, P.J. Glover; his devoted son, former State Representative and U.S. Representative/Public Delegate to the 78th United Nations General Assembly, Calvin Smyre; his late daughter Gwendolyn Smyre-Foster, grandchildren, great- grandchildren and other extended family members.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the 765,000 people of Georgia's Second Congressional District in celebrating the extraordinary life of Chief Warrant Officer Three (Ret) Carter Smyre, Jr. and in extending our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all who mourn his loss. May we all be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
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