Dawana, Gary Robert Smith, made his journey to the Spirit World on Thursday, August 29th, 2002. He was Wolf Clan of the Oneida Nation. Dawana had a ready smile and joyous laugh. His heart was as big as his stature. He was very proud of his Native American heritage which became the basis for his deep spiritual beliefs. It has been said that we come into this world with a destiny and a purpose and sometimes if you are blessed you and destiny end up in the same place at the same time. In that place you meet your purpose and so it was with the Mayan Staff and Gary. Gary walked in many worlds where he worked tirelessly to bring healing with understanding to the many people he encountered. He made friends in almost every walk of life. He carried a Mayan Staff was a member of the American Indian Society, Vietnam Veterans of America and A Prayer Vigil for the Earth. While in Brazil representing The United Religions Initiatives, Dawana was honored by being made a chief by a delegation of Amazon Indians. Gary was a highly decorated veteran of Vietnam where he was a Special Forces medic with the 101 St. Airborne. He served in Pres. Ronald Regan’s Inaugural Honor Guard. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Medical Badge, Gallantry cross Bronze Star, and many others. He not only treated American soldiers also the North and South Vietnamese soldiers with equal care and professionalism.

I can live with losing the Great Fight……………I can not live with not fighting it !!!

Gary R. Smith