Friends of Allensworth member The First Laid to Rest at Miramar Cemetery

Friends of Allensworth member, John Smith, became the first person buried in a casket at the new Miramar National Cemetery on Thursday, April 14, 2011. Smith devoted the last ten years of his life to lobbying for the Miramar National Cemetery.


As a veteran of the Vietnam War, John Smith service as a medic with the 1st Air Cavalry. Smith was dictated to helping his fellow veterans in San Diego County.

In 1981 Smith helped organize the Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, which changed its name to Veterans Village of San Diego in 2005. The group runs Veterans Rehabilitation Center that has en employment and training department, medical offices, and 16 three-bedroom, three-bath apartments.

Smith helped organize the nation’s first annual “Stand Down” event in 1988. “Stand Down” is a community program that assists homeless veterans with immediate physical needs such as showers, barbers, medical and dental. Other services provided are employment and job counseling, counseling, and veterans’ benefits.

The above video is the KFMB-TV 8 coverage of the burial service.

 
Stephen Hill, Sr.