On Sunday, May 7, Major Samuel A. Smith received his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

Lt. Col. Smith first served as an active duty chaplain in the Air Force before returning to full-time church ministry where he has continued to serve in the Mississippi Air National Guard. His present duty is held at Thompson Field in Jackson, Mississippi. Pastor Smith is Senior Pastor of Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church, 113 Scott Road, Eatonton, GA., where the pinning ceremony took place.