Climax man proud to be part of escort
By Bruce Rolfe
A Climax resident who enjoys helping veterans and their families, is looking forward to being a part of the Wall that Heals Escort that begins in Galesburg August 18 ahead of a four day display in Battle Creek.
The Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation will be hosting the Wall that Heals August 20-23 at the Harper Creek High School soccer field complex located at 7290 B Drive N. Battle Creek.
The escort begins at 2 p.m. August 18 at Galesburg-Augusta High School, 1076 N. 37th Street. Lineup begins at 1 p.m.
This will be a police escort. Intersections will be blocked by Kalamazoo County Sheriff in the City of Galesburg, Augusta Village Police, Calhoun County Sheriff and Battle Creek City Police. The length of the procession will be determined by the number of participants.
The Wall that Heals is a Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica and mobile education center.
Roger Smith, of Climax, has been a huge supporter of the military, and looks forward to riding his motorcycle in the August 18 escort.
Smith, who rode in the Wall that Heals escort that left Galesburg in 2022 for Harper Creek, will be in charge of parking and making sure everything is taken care of properly on the route.
Smith said when the Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation hosted the Wall that Heals in 2022, the number of motorcycles in the police escort was 389. He said the goal is to get 500 bikes August 18, however 200 riders would be considered a success.
Smith said when the Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation hosted the Wall that Heals in 2022, the number of motorcycles in the police escort was 389. He said the goal is to get 500 bikes August 18, however 200 riders would be considered a success.
Smith, who has a long family history of military involvement, said he wanted to be in the military since he was young but an injury when he was six years old disqualified him from joining the military later in life.
He said he was nearly accepted into the Marines until it was discovered an eye injury disqualified him.
“I really wanted to be in the military and defend freedom and everything my dad, grandfather and uncles fought for,” said Smith.
The Climax man, who has enjoyed supporting the military in other ways, said his grandmother was a key influence that put him on a path to support the military at a young age.
“I absolutely love America and what it stands for. I have always been a huge supporter of the military from a very young age. My grandma, Edna Eldred, got me into supporting the military in 1965. She was the leader of the Blue Star Mothers in St Johns, Michigan. I would sit on her living room floor and stuff Care Packages (boxes) to be sent to the soldiers in Vietnam. We put cookies, candy bars, toiletries, paper and pens just to name a few of the items,” recalled Smith.
Smith is currently an honorary member of the Red White Blue Foundation of Calhoun County, which is hosting the Wall that Heals exhibit at Harper Creek.
He was on the team that brought the Wall that Heals to Southwest Michigan in 2022. “It was very emotional speaking with veterans who served with men and women that have their names on that wall,” said Smith.
He is also a member of the American Legion.
“I joined these organizations because I wanted to do everything possible to help Veterans and their families,” said the Climax man.
Smith said he will get a similar honor again in 2026 to be a member of the organization that is bringing the Wall that Heals to Battle Creek.
This year’s exhibit will bring extra meaning for the Climax man.
He said the name of his brother-in-law, Ted Harwood, will be added to the memorial for soldiers of Vietnam that passed away from health issues they received while serving in Vietnam.
In 2024 Smith worked with the Climax Village Council updating and improving a World War II Memorial area that recognizes eight World War II Climax area veterans who lost their lives during the war.
Because there is a large number of veterans who commit suicide each year, Smith requested two Buddy Benches be a part of the renovated area. The Buddy Benches contain a suicide prevention phone number.
Smith is currently an honorary member of the Red White Blue Foundation of Calhoun County, which is hosting the Wall that Heals exhibit at Harper Creek.
He was on the team that brought the Wall that Heals to Southwest Michigan in 2022. “It was very emotional speaking with veterans who served with men and women that have their names on that wall,” said Smith.
He is also a member of the American Legion.
“I joined these organizations because I wanted to do everything possible to help Veterans and their families,” said the Climax man.
Smith said he will get a similar honor again in 2026 to be a member of the organization that is bringing the Wall that Heals to Battle Creek.
This year’s exhibit will bring extra meaning for the Climax man.
He said the name of his brother-in-law, Ted Harwood, will be added to the memorial for soldiers of Vietnam that passed away from health issues they received while serving in Vietnam.
In 2024 Smith worked with the Climax Village Council updating and improving a World War II Memorial area that recognizes eight World War II Climax area veterans who lost their lives during the war.
Because there is a large number of veterans who commit suicide each year, Smith requested two Buddy Benches be a part of the renovated area. The Buddy Benches contain a suicide prevention phone number.
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