Veterans Club Hosts 5K Race on Campus in Support of Belmont Memorials

Tyler Smith ‘26’s vision to honor veterans transformed into reality on November 10, 2024, as more than 100 runners and supporters gathered at Belmont Hill School for the inaugural Veterans Day 5K, raising funds to preserve local veterans' memorials.

 "I believe we all have a duty to give back to those who have served,” said Smith. “And, that's what I want to show my peers and leave as my legacy at Belmont Hill." After participating in Middle School community service projects, such as creating holiday cards for deployed troops, he realized that much more could be done and he set out to forge stronger connections between students and local veterans. Mr. George, Belmont Hill’s Community Service Coordinator introduced him to Bob Upton, Belmont's Veterans Services Officer.

"When Tyler contacted me last May about forming a veterans club at his school, I couldn't have been more proud," Upton said. "This young man shows great leadership, and the group of young gentlemen who helped him make the event happen are exceptional people." Upton came to campus to meet with the students last spring and Smith said, “I knew after that meeting that we were going to do something special.” 

To start, members of the club participated in the town’s Memorial Day Parade. The students walked in the event, carrying banners listing the name of every Belmont Hill graduate to have served in the armed forces. After sharing his idea for a 5k race for Veterans Day, Upton introduced Smith to Colonel Michael Callanan, the director of the Belmont Veterans Memorial Committee, and plans for the event began to take shape. 

He was then introduced to world-renowned marathon runner and Belmont resident Becca Pizzi, known for completing seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. Ms. Pizzi comes from a military background and she shared with students how that shaped her focus on running. During this visit she also provided guidance to Smith on organizing the fundraising race. Smith was able to attract sponsorships from several businesses, including Global Partners, Area Four, Pigeon Hill Provisions, Tonino, Mike's Hot Honey, Jocko Fuel, and American Nutrition Center. Smith said that he was able to reach out to people he met while working catering jobs to sponsor the event. In addition, his father, along with a group of chefs prepared a delicious BBQ to conclude the event. Prizes and raffles were awarded, but Smith said the key was that everyone was there with the shared mission of supporting veterans. 

Colonel Michael Callanan, director of the Belmont Veterans Memorial Committee, praised Smith's resolve. "He was so humble, focused and dedicated to helping to recognize Veterans that it gave me a boost in my faith in the next generation," Callanan said. Following the 5K event, Smith showed Callanan two campus memorials dedicated to the hundreds of Belmont Hill's military graduates: the honor roll mounted in the vestibule recognizing all service members and the "Pro Patria" stone memorial in the academic quad that honors the 15 graduates who paid the ultimate sacrifice. At the 5k, temporary signs were placed along the route with those names: 

World War II
Philip S. Burbank ’41
William A. Carlton ’30
Theodore Clement ’39
Robert S. Hurlbut ’29
William P. LaCroix ’37
Dwight R. MacAfee, Jr. ’42
George vonL. Meyer III ’34
Peter B. Meyer ’44
Michael T. Silver ’35
Patrick Staehle ’41
Charles R. L. Sturgis ’32
Orson H. Thomas ’38
 
Vietnam War
William Emerson ’60
 
Active Service
Edward H. Bovey ’50
Alfred D. Foster ’48

Fellow Veterans Club member and classmate Grant Hanser ‘26 assisted with the last minute event logistics and his appreciation for the work grew in part through Smith’s sheer passion for recognizing our military service members. "I wanted to help in any way I could, and I think the veterans really appreciated the work we put in," said Hanser, adding that he enjoyed talking to veterans about the project during the B-Flats visit to the Beech Street Senior Center last week. "We hope this 5K becomes a lasting tradition that future students will continue."

The race was not the only form of veterans' recognition at Belmont Hill recently. Once again, the B-Flats, led by Donnell Patterson performed at the annual Veterans Day breakfast at the senior center on Friday, November 8, while the History Club, led by Jack Barrett ‘25 organized a wristband fundraiser for disabled veterans. At Belmont Hill’s varsity football game on Saturday,  Commander Peter Firenze ‘97 (a Belmont native) and Colonel Callanan were on hand for the national anthem and the coin toss.

Faculty member Stephen George guided Smith throughout the planning process. "Mr. George supported this project from its earliest stages, meeting with me during summer rowing practice in Cambridge when it was just an idea," Smith said. "Despite completing the race himself, he remained actively involved throughout the entire event." Support came from all areas of campus with faculty, staff, and students pitching in. The Alumni House helped Smith with the race-day bibs, pins, and signage. Student photographer JJ Pena ‘26 was on hand to capture the race and many students volunteered to help with the set up. 

Paul Mutch of the Veterans Memorial Committee expressed optimism about the event's future. "Tyler, Grant and the other students in the Veterans Club at Belmont Hill did an outstanding job planning and organizing the race. The Committee is extremely thankful for what they have done and hope that this will become an annual event," he said.

For Smith, who credits his father Joshua with emphasizing attention to detail, the successful event offered valuable lessons. "I learned that problems are not red lights, they are opportunities," he said. "Each time we ran into an issue, I would take a moment, take a breath and smile, then react accordingly. I recognized that those who gave the full measure deserve nothing less, and my father truly taught me that.”