On Feb. 25, the Food Network in conjunction with Bronwen Weber (Frosted Art Bakery) conducted an event to honor the late Col. "Red" Smith" and all veterans.
Smith joined the Air Force in 1947. Red is one of the original founders of the National Association for Remotely Piloted Vehicles (NARPV), which became the Association for Unmanned Vehicles International (AUVSI), and he was the second national president of NARPV. He was a program management principal in the Vietnam era for remotely piloted vehicle programs, including Long Arm Decoy, Lightning Bug photo reconnaissance in Vietnam, Electronic Warfare in Combat Angel, Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) in Combat Dawn and Strike in Have Lemon Task 05. He served in RPV Systems at SAC Headquarters, the Big Safari Office, and the Drone/RPV System Project Office (SPO) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, and in Vietnam and Thailand.
With a total of 15 months in the Vietnam War, Smith holds many military awards, among them the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal twice, the USAF Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with five battle stars, and a USAF Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V."
The event had an unveiling of an oil painting depicting Smith, and the unveiling of the cake. The cake was over 400 pounds and took over 1,600 eggs to make. The cake was in the shape of a tank, and the turret shot out confetti and streamers. The cake itself was a red, white and blue velvet cake and it was delicious.
The event will air on the Food Network in May.