RS Botetourt Star soccer U17Team had a great season!

Botetourt Star’s U17 player/Captain Ruthie Clay had high hopes for a story on her coach Bill Smith when she contacted the Botetourt View last week. He is  now deployed with the military. He sent in a photo of the team from Kuwait and praised his replacement coach Ronnie Clay of Daleville. Kissmet from Kuwait to Botetourt!

There is more to this story than a soccer team that had a terrific girl’s fall travel soccer in the U17 category.

Smith wrote, ” The Botetourt Star U17 Girls,  finished as champions of the BRSL this fall on Veterans Day.  Furthermore, the team finished with a perfect 10-0-0 record in league play scoring 71 goals and allowing only 3 against.”

Pictured from left to right are:

Back Row: Sarah Sizer,  Rebekah Broughton, Olivia Pendergrass, Brandi Anderson, AJ Clay,Anne Chappell Barkett (Captain), Breanna Anderson

Middle Row:Rachel Noel, Lilly Smith, Katelyn Lipes, Emily McCaul,  Kyra Dollar

Front Row: Sarah Dollar, Cassie Snyder , Sarah (Bug) Snyder, Ruthie Clay(Captain)

Here is the rest of the story of a military family  with sons and father serving. On  Veterans Day and every day,  remember  thankfully those who are deployed all over this planet including Army Reservist officer and soccer coach Maj.Bill Smith and his family. Their sacrifice keeps the USA  free. Many other nations  searching for freedom benefit from the members of our US Armed Forces  putting life on the line to give freedom a chance.

Smith returning from Desert Storm in 1991 to his wife and two sons.

Smith described the two additional photos the BV requested of him from Kuwait where he is hours ahead of  the US in time.

Desert Storm Return Picture:

“This photo was taken at Fort Campbell KY in the spring of 1991.  Pictured are Lt Bill Smith with wife Heather.  Bill is holding Paul, four months old.  Heather is holding Michael  1.5 years old.  Bill was deployed to Saudi Arabia with the 101^st Airborne Division for seven months as part of Operation Desert Storm. ”

The son grown- up. Paul Smith send-off picture.

“The second  photo was taken as Paul Smith (right) prepared to depart for Iraq with his National Guard unit in 2010.  Michael (Left) will depart later in the year for Korea.  Matthew, (front) is 9 in this picture and very supportive of his brothers.  Bill Smith (Center) is back in uniform and in the reserves  after a long break in service.”

The Smith father and sons when young Paul Smith deployed to Iraq in 2010.

And finally an update on the Smith sons and other family members. “Paul returned from Iraq fine and is a student at VA Tech.  Micheal is still in the Air Force and serving in Japan.  Heather, my wonderful wife or over 26 years,  was taking the picture and that is why she is not in the second shot.  I also have a daughter, Christine, who is a student at Radford University.  She is not military.”

A huge “Thank You” to the Smith family!!! Happy Veterans Day! Congrats to the BS U17 soccer team on a great season!