Vestavia native to be honored at Veterans Day celebration
This month, Vestavia native Clay Smith will be sharing his stories of World War II in the Pacific as part of the Veterans Day celebration at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park. The celebration honors veterans “Around the Globe, Across the Years.” Clay, a resident of Vestavia for 60 years, now lives in Danberry at Inverness with his wife Betty. He and other vets from various branches of the services and different conflicts will be spaced along the wooded trail at intervals that allow for conversation with small groups as they pass to Memorial Plaza.
Smith worked tirelessly as a volunteer in Homewood and Vestavia, particularly in the libraries and is credited with helping raise one million dollars. As with all grandfathers, the offspring of his four children are one of the most interesting parts of his life to him. He has been married to Betty for 69 years and they have four children—Rick, Larry, Susan, and Marie who is deceased.
A StepStone has been purchased in honor of Clay by his family. It is engraved with his name, rank, and branch of service and laid in the Flag Plaza at the park. A service there will honor Clay and 60 other veterans.
At noon on Sunday, Nov. 9, shuttle buses will transport guests from the parking to the entrance and golf carts will transport those who need them. At 1 p.m. the Walk and Talk with History will begin and the 313th US Army Reserve Band will play. A program in Memorial Plaza will begin at 1:45 p.m. which includes the Birmingham Boys Choir. Birmingham Police Chief Major General A. C. Roper will speak. The StepStone dedications begin in the Flag Plaza at 3 p.m.
For more, visit alabamaveterans.org.
- Submitted by Anne Bishop