The Brief
- An Apollo Beach family is celebrating after Navy Capt. Ned Smith retired following 33 years of service.
- Ned’s wife and eight children say the pride of military service came with missed milestones, long deployments and years of sacrifice at home.
- Some of their kids were inspired by their father’s service and plan to go into the military.
APOLLO BEACH, Fla. – As Military Appreciation Month begins in May, an Apollo Beach family is sharing what it means to finally have their hero home for good.
The backstory:
Capt. Ned Smith recently retired from the United States Navy after 33 years of service, a career that began with a simple goal.
“Quite candidly, I was looking for a way to pay for school, but I got the bug,” Smith said. “The serving, serving alongside, and some opportunities to lead. It’s infectious.”…