Sandra Smith
Staff Sergeant Sandra Smith first joined the U.S. Army in 1980 near her Navajo Indian reservation in Arizona. In May 2006, while stationed in Diwaniyah, Iraq a car explosion, caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) threw her into a concrete barrier. Smith went from Landsthul, Germany to Walter Reed Army Medical Center where she spent a year. In October 2007 Sandra came to Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) where she underwent several surgeries to repair injuries sustained to her back. At the same time Sandra had to contend with the aftermath of a divorce and adjusting to life as a single parent. She had no place to stay and no furniture to speak of. Thanks to Operation Homefront Sandra moved into a furnished apartment at Operation Homefront Village – San Antonio in July 2008. Sandra is currently attending classes at Wayland Baptist University and is also looking for stable employment. “OH Village gives you the chance to pursue dreams and discover job possibilities,” said Sandra. Sandra takes great pride in being a good student. She is gaining back her self-esteem and has set her sights on graduating next December.