First Baptist Church Lakeland
FBCL | Prayer Breakfast 2025
We gathered together in support of the Sons of the American Legion for our latest prayer breakfast. LtCol Steve Smith, USMC (Ret) was our guest speaker. He gave us a brief testimony and shared God’s word with us on the current battle that we are engaged in with the enemy of God and urging us to fight for the faith.
It was a special time together in fellowship and in honoring those who sacrificed for us in word and in song. The Breakfast was abundant and delicious and a great time was had by all. We appreciate all the support, volunteers and prayers for this event in supporting our veterans of our community. Thank you!
Our Guest Speaker
LtCol Steve Smith (Ret) entered the United States Marine Corps in 1974 after completing a B.S. degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Upon graduation from Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. In 1975, he entered flight training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL, and earned his wings a year later. He later completed F-4 Phantom training at MCAS Yuma, AZ. His first Fleet assignment was with VMFA-122 at MCAS, Beaufort, SC. In that tour, he held various positions including Air Combat Tactics Instructor, and later deployed to Japan with his Squadron for one year. When he returned, he attended additional training at the United States Navy Fighter Weapons Schools (Top Gun), and the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI). He was named Second Marine Aircraft Wing’s nominee for the Naval Flight Officer of the Year Award in 1981.
Steve was next assigned as the Air Officer Second Battalion, Fourth Marines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Transferred in 1982 to Naval Air Station, Dallas, Steve served as the F-4 Operations Officer for Marine Aircraft Group 41 and the VMFA- 112 Cowboys until selected to attend the Armed Force Staff College in Norfolk, VA. Upon completion, he worked in a joint assignment of the USMC Program Manager at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA. In 1989, he was selected for command, and assumed the duties as Commanding Officer, Marine Aviation Support Squadron 901 in July of 1990. That assignment was followed by series of other assignments including service as the USMC representative for Marine Air on the Chief of Naval Technical Training staff, an assignment with the Air Force at Eglin AFB, FL, where he worked in joint air tactics development. Steve received numerous awards while he served in the USMC and retired in 1998. Steve is married to Melinda. They have three children and four grandchildren. They reside in Collierville, TN. Steve and his wife are active members of Grace Evangelical Church. Steve also leads the Ministry Initiative Team at the Salvation Army.
All proceed went to the Sons of the American Legion.