Floyd County Veteran Wins Franchise, And A Shot At Success

Andrew Smith served his country with distinction. The Army infantryman was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2003.

On Monday he was in Elliston, a keynote speaker for a Memorial Day ceremony.

He also got a surprise -- courtesy of Black Dawg Sealcoat.

The company's founder, Jack Child, drove from New Hampshire to present Smith with a local business franchise for Yellow Dawg Striping, a branch of Black Dawg that provides maintenance for parking lot asphalt.

Smith, 28, won an online video promo contest sponsored by the company. Child, a former Air Force officer, said the idea for the contest was sparked by his frustration over the number of veterans now unemployed.

"I wanted to give someone a chance to own their own business rather than rely on an employer," said Child. "This is just a small part of our way to say thank you, and what better day than Memorial Day?" Smith humbly accepted his prize, but also took a moment to acknowledge the service that Child is providing for others.

"Veterans show they live their lives for others. And he has been living his life for others since he was born," Smith said in thanking Child for the opportunity.

Just a few yards away sat a custom black-and-yellow painted Yellow Dawg Striping cargo trailer equipped with a Line Lazer IV 3900 dual engine airless striping machine donated by Graco, and premium paint donated by Sherwin-Williams. Smith also won all the tools he'll need to run his business, plus uniforms, business cards, two program passes to the 2012 National Pavement Expo in Memphis, Tenn., a stencil kit, and training. His total winnings are worth approximately $28,000.

"I was excited for him," said Berkley Simmons, a Vietnam veteran who was in on the surprise. "He seems like a very deserving person." Two hours later, Smith and three other men gathered in the front yard of a friend's house not far from Elliston to watch Child demonstrate how the Line Lazer works.

"I can't believe how awesome everything is designed," said Smith as he hovered over the three-wheel machine that resembles a lawn mower.

Smith grew up in Blacksburg but now lives in Floyd County with his wife, Anna, his son Colt and daughter Addi.

Smith was medically discharged in September 2004. A roadside bomb not only put him in the hospital for 30 days, but also caused brain damage that has affected his short-term memory.

A 19-second YouTube video that Smith created in the parking lot of a Pizza Hut with one of his youth ministry church members won him the franchise.

The winner was selected by panel of judges chosen by Child. Contestants were judged on honesty, professionalism and work ethic, among several other criteria.

Several other veterans entered the contest, including people that Smith encouraged to enter.

The franchise is still pending Virginia state approval and Child is still looking for an insurance company to donate its service to the business for a year. But with that in mind, Smith is already looking forward to expanding.

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