Kelsey Smith, A Year Later

Photos by
Tim Galyean

Today, Overland Park, Kansas is calm, with its people going about their normal tasks. The air is springtime warm with laughter of children in parks and sporting events of all kinds taking place.

But one year ago next month, the mood was tense with worry and a frantic search was beginning.

On June 2, 2007, a girl, who was “scrubbed in sunshine,” was taken by a dark cloud of evil. Over 200 hundred volunteers, law enforcement personnel, friends, and family members began a search for Kelsey Smith. Total strangers heard the call and rushed to assist. Their mission was to find Kelsey and return her home safely to the warm embrace of her family and friends. They called themselves "Kelsey's Army."

Searchers went door-to-door, to the fields and anywhere to find Kelsey. When a family member wavered in hope, another stepped in to buck them up.

Each day, in those four nightmarish days, new clues were found that would pinpoint what happened to Kelsey, who did it and where she could be found.

Then, on June 6, Kelsey was found. A suspect was apprehended.

For days after, people from all walks of life came together to share in the sorrow of her loss. Many people from across the country, and some from other countries, shared in grief with the Smith Family. This case resonated especially with people who are parents of daughters, as I am.

It would have been easy (and understandable) for the Smith Family to withdraw in solitude with their sorrows. What happened to Kelsey is a parent's worst nightmare. But the Smith Family, although a normal American family, didn't do that. Instead they pulled themselves together and decided that this evil must be fought. They formed the Kelsey Smith Foundation [Kelsey's Army] to see to it that young women would be trained and have the tools to prevent similar occurrences.

They are an inspiration to the rest of us. They've showed the nation and the world just what kind of mettle they're made of.

In the year since Kelsey's murder, the Kelsey Smith Foundation has provided grief counseling, Safety Awareness Seminars, spoke before different groups, provided brochures and safety whistles, all free of charge. The Foundation has consulted with three families on three different missing person cases in the Kansas City area. All three persons were found, unharmed, and returned safely home. In one instance, Missey Smith was instrumental in bringing the person home.

The Smiths, though the Kelsey Smith Foundation, have shown each of us that an evil act can be the spark that could turn evil into good. We owe them our deepest gratitude. That is why I nominated them March 27 for a “Making A Difference” profile on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. (If you agree, please contact NBC to second the nomination at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10397946/.)

Kelsey Smith planned to be a veterinarian. In her short life, she contributed to her community. A dedicated person, she once made a two-hour drive to be in a charity run when the one at her school was canceled. Her potential for doing more was evident to all who knew her, and to those who never met her but read about what kind of person she was. She was a girl who would make any parent proud.

Although she is gone physically, Kelsey’s spirit lives on and she continues to be a force for positive change. I am certain that she is looking down and is proud at what she sees. Her legacy continues.

Saturday, May 3rd would have been Kelsey’s 19th birthday. It is more appropriate to remember her on her birthday rather than on the day of her death so thanks can be given for the day of her birth and for what she contributed in the days that she had.