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Retired U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Major Deborah A. Smart was honored Tuesday by the Selma City Council.

Selma Mayor James Perkins Jr. read a Proclamation to express appreciation for Smart, a 1989 graduate of Selma High School. She retired after serving 33 years in the military.

Smart, who was born in Demopolis, always calls Selma her home.“I was born in Demopolis, but Selma will always be my home,” Smart said. “To start  my military career in Selma and end in Selma is a blessing.”

Smart, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, said she did not envision having a long military career.

“I never thought I’d be a Sgt. Major,” Smart said. “God made a plan for me. I didn’t have a plan. It was God’s will.”

After Smart’s speech, she received a standing ovation by the Selma city council, Perkins and the audience who attended the council meeting.