LARRY SMITH
Founder/Former Chairperson/Treasurer
Emeritus Member
Born in Harlem, New York City on January 10, 1945, Lawrence is the eldest son of three born to William and Louise Smith. His family migrated from Harlem to St. Albans, Queens where they settled. He attended Jamaica High School in Queens and enlisted in the US Marine Corps to serve his country on March 20, 1963. While serving as a Marine he traveled around the world twice. Lawrence was stationed in North Carolina with E Company, 2-2 Second Marine Division and was transferred to the Third Marine Division and sent to Vietnam with H Company 2-7 and was the awarded nine Combat Veteran medals listed below:
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Action Award
Purple Heart with Oak Cluster
Vietnam Veterans Gallantry Medal
Presidential Citation Award
Good Conduct Medal
NYS Commendable Medal
Lawrence retired as a 100-Disabled
Veteran from the Marine Corps. Around 1972 he was a Founder and served as the
Director of Unity House. He also served as Co-Director of House, Food, and
Thought. He then focused his energies by serving as Tenant Association President
in Gowanus Houses and tried his hand at being the Assistant Scout Master to the
Stoners. Lawrence is a Founder of BVSJ. Since its inception in April 1979, he
has held several positions; Treasurer, Vice President, Chairman and now Vice
Chairman of the Board of Directors.