About Us

About Phil

Phil Smith is a lifelong storyteller, Veteran advocate, and community servant whose work has been dedicated to preserving truth, history, and the voices of those who served our country.

Phil graduated from the University of Florida in August 1977 with degrees in Journalism and Television Broadcasting. He went on to spend over a decade as an Investigative Reporter and Television News Cameraman, earning credits with all major television networks. His career includes extensive documentary work, including ten years spent on the investigative documentary “OJ Is Guilty, But Not of Murder,” and five years filming and editing the PBS documentary “The Roots of War, The Road to Peace,” which explored conflict and reconciliation in the Middle East.

Throughout his 40-year Broadcasting Career, Phil produced and hosted multiple award-winning television programs, including “Behind The Helmets,” “Thru The Hoops,” The Backroads of Irving,” and “9-1-1, You Dial It.” along with hundreds of Sales, Marketing and Promotional Videos for Fortune-500 clients. His work earned local, regional, and national recognition, including the National Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Award of the Year.

Outside of media, Phil is deeply rooted in his East Texas community. He lives in Martins Mill, Texas, where he enjoys gardening and hosts an Organic Garden Seminar twice a year at his home. He is also actively involved with Walnut Springs Bible Baptist Church in Canton, serving as a greeter and occasionally teaching Sunday School classes. He introduced a WAGSIS WIFI Bracelet. Guaranteed to never fail. It is your DIRECT line to our Almighty God. (WAGSIS: When Almighty God Smiles, I Smile)

Military Service & Veteran Advocacy

Phil was drafted into the United States Navy Reserve (USN-R) in 1969, serving as a Supply Officer for Ground Support of A-4 Skyhawk Aircraft in Jacksonville, Florida. He received an Honorable Discharge in August 1975.

Following his military service, Phil devoted much of his life to honoring Veterans. He served for three and a half years as Public Relations Director for the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial, where he helped amplify the stories and sacrifices of local Veterans. He is a member of Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) and, alongside fellow Army Veterans, Tommy Forgue and Matt Hernandez, regularly visit Goshen Farms to host monthly dinners for homeless veterans.

Phil has received numerous awards and citations for his work with Veterans’ organizations and has played a key role in organizing a yearly Military Show, serving as Master of Ceremonies and working closely with the local VFW to keep the event going strong. He, his wife and friends work with Wreath’s Across America, honoring our fallen Veterans.

Why Meet Our Veterans Matters

While serving as PR Director at the Veterans Memorial, Phil founded Meet Our Veterans—a program created to ensure that the stories of local Veterans are not forgotten. Through personal interviews, Phil captures firsthand accounts from Veterans of all branches of the U.S. military, preserving their experiences for future generations.

These interviews have been shared on the Veterans Memorial’s Facebook page, vzcm.org, archived in the Library of Congress, and displayed in an international museum in Szubin, Poland—home to Europe’s only Officer POW camp during World War II. Phil’s work highlights the story of Lloyd Taylor, former Canton mayor and POW #3237 at Oflag 64, whose articles and personal artifacts are now preserved for public education and remembrance.

Phil has interviewed Veterans spanning multiple generations, including his most recent interview with a 104-year-old World War II Army Veteran who personally remembers Pearl Harbor, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge. “He said his MOS was Telephone Operator. Don’t let that fool you. He volunteered to travel around France looking for much needed parts to keep his Squadron’s fighter planes in the air.”

After a three-year hiatus, Phil made the decision to continue this important work independently—bringing Meet Our Veterans to its own dedicated platform at www.meetourveterans.com

“I am blessed by the Grace of God,” said Phil. “These are their stories, I am just the messenger. I am honored Veteran’s invite me into their world and share experiences they haven’t talked about for over 50 years. The Ken Thompson’s, while rehabbing for a head wound in Da Nang, can’t wait to get back to his Platoon Brothers. Earl Clark, who was a Machine Gunner at the Battle of The Bulge said, God get me out of here safe and I will spread your Gospel for the rest of my life. He did. Virgil Melton Jr., knocked unconscious from a land mine stepping off his tank. He came home to tell his story. Their stories and many more are why I write about our Veteran’s. God Bless each and every one of them, and God Bless America.