Phillip & Sandra Smith :: An Heirloom Story
May is Military Appreciation Month, and we at R. Riveter are proud to share the stories of our Nation's heroes. This story was submitted by Sandra Smith, an R. Riveter Heirloom customer, and Gold Star Military Spouse.
Our story began in 1963 when I met my husband, Philip.
He enlisted in the Army to enroll in U.S. Army Primary and Advanced Helicopter Training. We were married on Memorial Day weekend, March 29, 1965.
He had just completed the first phase of training at Ft Wolters, Texas, and was en route to the advanced training at Ft Rucker, Alabama. Immediately after graduation he received orders for Vietnam in November of 1965.
We were only married 10 months when he was killed by mine fragments after landing his helicopter in a Special Forces airfield that had been unknowingly mined.
He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. It was a special love story with a sad ending.
I kept my Phil's uniforms unsure of what to do with them, but could not part with them. I watched a special segment about R Riveter on Fox and Friends and how your company was creating handbags from military uniforms.
It took me awhile to part with his uniforms after 57 years; however, I know he would be proud of what was being created, rather than hanging in a closet.
Through the Heirloom Program, I mailed his uniforms to R. Riveter where the team created handbags from the fabric, buttons, patches, wings, and braid. The handbags tell the story of his life, his service, and our life together. The handbags symbolize all three, and I am so proud of his short but heroic career in which he was honored with many awards and decorations — Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star.
By carrying these handbags, I always feel as I have a part of him with me, and I am proud to tell the story of our love and to honor his life and service.
Thank you R. Riveter for asking me to be a part of your story and creating a beautiful and meaningful wearable work of art.
-Sandra Smith.
For more information on the Heirloom program, please click here.
