Craig Smith at Muskegon’s Hackley Stadium;
at left, Smith in early-1970s at Arlington National Cemetery.
at left, Smith in early-1970s at Arlington National Cemetery.
(Courtesy Photo)
By Scott DeCamp
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON – When Craig Smith recalls his time served with the U.S. Army in the early-1970s and the treatment of military personnel at that time by civilians, it brings tears to his eyes.
Times have mostly changed for the better since that era, so those sad, watery eyes are also happy tears in his reflection.
Regardless, it’s never been about him.
For nearly his entire life, the 1971 Muskegon High School alumnus has served others with a loving and understanding heart. From earning Honor Guard status and lofty distinction of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery to now serving youth in his hometown, Smith has always looked out for others’ well-being.
“He’s just a dedicated man – God, country, and service,” said Dr. Tim Reilly, a photography colleague in the Muskegon area. “You look back on his past and there is absolutely no one that compares to his level of dedication, his level of service. I just think the man was born to serve and he’s just such a legend and such an honorable guy to call my friend.”
For nearly 17 years now, attendees of Muskegon Big Reds football and basketball games have seen Smith’s friendly face and much of his camera gear in the south end zone at Hackley Stadium and in the baseline bleachers near the home team’s bench at Redmond-Potter Gymnasium.
He happily takes photos of Big Reds athletes and their teams and shares those images with the youngsters and their parents. He has never charged a penny.
As far as Muskegon football coach Shane Fairfield, basketball coach/athletic director Keith Guy, and their players are concerned, Smith is a huge part of the Big Reds family.
“It’s kind of like my comfort blanket when I see him and I go give him a hug before every game,” Fairfield said. “It kind of just makes it bigger than football, you know what I mean – the joy and happiness we bring him, the love and respect we have for him, and he holds me accountable.
“Always wishes me good luck. It’s a pregame ritual for me to see him every game – it can be in Ohio, Cincinnati, Escanaba, wherever we play, you’re going to see him and his wife at the game. He’s definitely a fixture of the program and he inspires me, the things he’s done in his life.”
Born in Muskegon, Smith attended Oakview Elementary and Steele Middle School before he headed off to Muskegon High, where he ran cross country and played a little basketball for the Big Reds.
Smith was drafted in 1971 and he originally enlisted in the Army as an infantryman. He was sent to Fort Knox, Ky., for basic training. Smith planned to later become a heavy artilleryman, but he was welcomed into the Army Honor Guard instead.
According to Smith, the challenge of the Honor Guard is the drop-out rate is fairly high. If one does not make the cut, the alternative is Infantry Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), which involve ground combat roles focused on directly engaging and defeating the enemy. Being heavy artillery, Smith wanted to be “as far from the action” as he could get.
Smith, whose father worked at Continental Motors for 40-plus years, does not recall going on family vacations. The Smiths did go to Washington, D.C., however. Craig Smith said he had never been to Washington, but during a walk through Arlington National Cemetery, he kind of stumbled upon the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the changing of the guard.
“Immediately, my thought was, ‘I’m going to do that before I get out of the service,’” Smith recalled.
Indeed, he did it.
According to the Arlington National Cemetery website, soldiers who volunteer to become Tomb Guards undergo a strict selection process and intensive training. The Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns and faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, and then takes 21 steps down the mat.
The Guard executes a sharp “shoulder-arms” movement to place his/her weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors, signifying that he or she stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. The number 21 signifies the highest symbolic military honor that can be bestowed: The 21-gun salute.
Smith held the Tomb position Commander of the Relief, Sentinel, from September 1973 to September 1974. He was Second Relief. His highest military rank was Sergeant.
“Back in the ‘70s, we were treated very poorly – very poorly,” Smith recalled. “When we would travel, we would try to wear our civis as much as we could, but our haircuts gave us away. … People would throw things at you, spit at you. I was fortunate to be in a group where people were usually very cordial and very appreciative of what you did.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever been to the Tomb, but it’s a silent place. People don’t do a lot of laughing and joking around there. If they do, the Tomb guard will take care of that. But there were other times, it wasn’t so good.”
While in the Army, Smith discovered a passion for photography. “You could buy photographic equipment very cheap,” he said. “I got some cheaper camera equipment and I always loved sports.”
Out of the service, Smith worked in Human Resources and negotiated contracts for many years. One of his locations was in Muskegon Heights, where Guy was high school basketball coach at the time. Smith and Guy connected.
When Guy was hired by Muskegon High, Smith had already been shooting photos of Big Reds football games. Guy told Smith that he’d be interested in images for the boys basketball program.
“He said, ‘You can do it as long as I’m here,’” Smith recalled about his conversation with Guy. “It’s been ingrained in me.”
Smith said that while it’s different than the military, when he walks into football or basketball games, people stop him and thank him.
While getting prepared to shoot a football game, for example, and preparing his equipment, there could be 20-30 people who stop him and shake his hand while striking up a quick chat.
Smith has undergone three major operations on his back, so he does not move around as well as he used to. He said, “It’s just a challenge every day.”
Still, back pain has not kept him away from his passion of photography and connecting with others at high school games.
“Those connections are priceless,” Smith said. “You couldn’t pay me to give away those experiences and friends that I have at Muskegon – at all the high schools locally.”
On the sidelines, photographers and reporters form a fraternity of sorts.
They’re very supportive of each other with some gentle barbs thrown in for good measure.
Reilly, who has known “Smitty” for at least 10 years, is often seen lying on his stomach or kneeling while shooting photos. When Smith sees that, he can’t help himself.
“Smitty likes to take pictures of me in these most flattering of positions. He’s one of the best at getting my good side, if you know what I mean,” Reilly said tongue-in-cheek. “Probably the most fun that we have is the little banter pregame, wishing each other well. We do it here at football games and around Muskegon County at (football and basketball games). It’s truly one of the reasons I keep coming back and he’s absolutely just a great mentor to me in life and on the sidelines.”
Of course, the true MVP in all of this is Teri Smith, Craig’s wife. She is his No. 1 supporter and his travel companion – and, you’d better believe, they’ve logged thousands of miles following the Big Reds across the state and even out of state.
Craig is a big University of Michigan fan. Teri, an Ohio native, is all Ohio State. Somehow, they manage to keep the peace.
At high school games, Teri is just as popular as Craig.
“You take basketball, for instance, the mothers will more gravitate to her than they ever thought of gravitating towards me,” Smith said. “She gets the same, ‘Hello, how are you doing?’ when we walk down the street, going to the fruit market or something. They’ll be more apt to stop her than they would me. I wouldn’t be able to do it without her buy-in.”
Smith shares his photos with the Local Sports Journal, but his primary objective is making sure the high school athletes and their families are covered.
Generally, Smith will go through 800 to 1,000 photos from a game and pick out four to five images of individuals on the basketball or football team and email those photos to the athlete or his/her parents.
“Now, 16 years later, I’ll see grown men and women. (They’ll) stop me and say, ‘You know what, we really appreciated what you did,’” Smith said.
Those efforts, and Smith’s caring, is certainly not lost on the young athletes.
“It’s cool. He comes to every game. He came to all of our Ohio games, and he’s just a great dude,” Muskegon junior football standout Recarder Kitchen said. “Before the game starts, I check up on him, go shake his hand. When we talk, it’s always nice things, like, ‘How are you? Have a great game.’ Just a real cool, respectful dude to be around.”
Said senior Demetrius Murdaugh: “I really love Craig. I actually talked to him a lot last season. I would text him and say thank you for the pictures. This season, I asked him for some pictures at the beginning. He was like, ‘For sure. One-hundred percent.’ He remembered my number and this was my first season starting. He’s a great person.”
Smith looks forward to every game day. When Muskegon is not playing, you might find Smith at another school in the Muskegon area, preserving memories for its athletes as well.
Fairfield can’t thank Smith enough for what he does for Muskegon’s youth and athletic programs as a whole.
It’s much deeper than that, however.
“I hope we show him that we were worth defending,” Fairfield said.
MUSKEGON – When Craig Smith recalls his time served with the U.S. Army in the early-1970s and the treatment of military personnel at that time by civilians, it brings tears to his eyes.
Times have mostly changed for the better since that era, so those sad, watery eyes are also happy tears in his reflection.
Regardless, it’s never been about him.
For nearly his entire life, the 1971 Muskegon High School alumnus has served others with a loving and understanding heart. From earning Honor Guard status and lofty distinction of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery to now serving youth in his hometown, Smith has always looked out for others’ well-being.
“He’s just a dedicated man – God, country, and service,” said Dr. Tim Reilly, a photography colleague in the Muskegon area. “You look back on his past and there is absolutely no one that compares to his level of dedication, his level of service. I just think the man was born to serve and he’s just such a legend and such an honorable guy to call my friend.”
For nearly 17 years now, attendees of Muskegon Big Reds football and basketball games have seen Smith’s friendly face and much of his camera gear in the south end zone at Hackley Stadium and in the baseline bleachers near the home team’s bench at Redmond-Potter Gymnasium.
He happily takes photos of Big Reds athletes and their teams and shares those images with the youngsters and their parents. He has never charged a penny.
As far as Muskegon football coach Shane Fairfield, basketball coach/athletic director Keith Guy, and their players are concerned, Smith is a huge part of the Big Reds family.
“It’s kind of like my comfort blanket when I see him and I go give him a hug before every game,” Fairfield said. “It kind of just makes it bigger than football, you know what I mean – the joy and happiness we bring him, the love and respect we have for him, and he holds me accountable.
“Always wishes me good luck. It’s a pregame ritual for me to see him every game – it can be in Ohio, Cincinnati, Escanaba, wherever we play, you’re going to see him and his wife at the game. He’s definitely a fixture of the program and he inspires me, the things he’s done in his life.”
Born in Muskegon, Smith attended Oakview Elementary and Steele Middle School before he headed off to Muskegon High, where he ran cross country and played a little basketball for the Big Reds.
Smith was drafted in 1971 and he originally enlisted in the Army as an infantryman. He was sent to Fort Knox, Ky., for basic training. Smith planned to later become a heavy artilleryman, but he was welcomed into the Army Honor Guard instead.
According to Smith, the challenge of the Honor Guard is the drop-out rate is fairly high. If one does not make the cut, the alternative is Infantry Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), which involve ground combat roles focused on directly engaging and defeating the enemy. Being heavy artillery, Smith wanted to be “as far from the action” as he could get.
Smith, whose father worked at Continental Motors for 40-plus years, does not recall going on family vacations. The Smiths did go to Washington, D.C., however. Craig Smith said he had never been to Washington, but during a walk through Arlington National Cemetery, he kind of stumbled upon the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the changing of the guard.
“Immediately, my thought was, ‘I’m going to do that before I get out of the service,’” Smith recalled.
Indeed, he did it.
According to the Arlington National Cemetery website, soldiers who volunteer to become Tomb Guards undergo a strict selection process and intensive training. The Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns and faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, and then takes 21 steps down the mat.
The Guard executes a sharp “shoulder-arms” movement to place his/her weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors, signifying that he or she stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. The number 21 signifies the highest symbolic military honor that can be bestowed: The 21-gun salute.
Smith held the Tomb position Commander of the Relief, Sentinel, from September 1973 to September 1974. He was Second Relief. His highest military rank was Sergeant.
“Back in the ‘70s, we were treated very poorly – very poorly,” Smith recalled. “When we would travel, we would try to wear our civis as much as we could, but our haircuts gave us away. … People would throw things at you, spit at you. I was fortunate to be in a group where people were usually very cordial and very appreciative of what you did.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever been to the Tomb, but it’s a silent place. People don’t do a lot of laughing and joking around there. If they do, the Tomb guard will take care of that. But there were other times, it wasn’t so good.”
While in the Army, Smith discovered a passion for photography. “You could buy photographic equipment very cheap,” he said. “I got some cheaper camera equipment and I always loved sports.”
Out of the service, Smith worked in Human Resources and negotiated contracts for many years. One of his locations was in Muskegon Heights, where Guy was high school basketball coach at the time. Smith and Guy connected.
When Guy was hired by Muskegon High, Smith had already been shooting photos of Big Reds football games. Guy told Smith that he’d be interested in images for the boys basketball program.
“He said, ‘You can do it as long as I’m here,’” Smith recalled about his conversation with Guy. “It’s been ingrained in me.”
Smith said that while it’s different than the military, when he walks into football or basketball games, people stop him and thank him.
While getting prepared to shoot a football game, for example, and preparing his equipment, there could be 20-30 people who stop him and shake his hand while striking up a quick chat.
Smith has undergone three major operations on his back, so he does not move around as well as he used to. He said, “It’s just a challenge every day.”
Still, back pain has not kept him away from his passion of photography and connecting with others at high school games.
“Those connections are priceless,” Smith said. “You couldn’t pay me to give away those experiences and friends that I have at Muskegon – at all the high schools locally.”
On the sidelines, photographers and reporters form a fraternity of sorts.
They’re very supportive of each other with some gentle barbs thrown in for good measure.
Reilly, who has known “Smitty” for at least 10 years, is often seen lying on his stomach or kneeling while shooting photos. When Smith sees that, he can’t help himself.
“Smitty likes to take pictures of me in these most flattering of positions. He’s one of the best at getting my good side, if you know what I mean,” Reilly said tongue-in-cheek. “Probably the most fun that we have is the little banter pregame, wishing each other well. We do it here at football games and around Muskegon County at (football and basketball games). It’s truly one of the reasons I keep coming back and he’s absolutely just a great mentor to me in life and on the sidelines.”
Of course, the true MVP in all of this is Teri Smith, Craig’s wife. She is his No. 1 supporter and his travel companion – and, you’d better believe, they’ve logged thousands of miles following the Big Reds across the state and even out of state.
Craig is a big University of Michigan fan. Teri, an Ohio native, is all Ohio State. Somehow, they manage to keep the peace.
At high school games, Teri is just as popular as Craig.
“You take basketball, for instance, the mothers will more gravitate to her than they ever thought of gravitating towards me,” Smith said. “She gets the same, ‘Hello, how are you doing?’ when we walk down the street, going to the fruit market or something. They’ll be more apt to stop her than they would me. I wouldn’t be able to do it without her buy-in.”
Smith shares his photos with the Local Sports Journal, but his primary objective is making sure the high school athletes and their families are covered.
Generally, Smith will go through 800 to 1,000 photos from a game and pick out four to five images of individuals on the basketball or football team and email those photos to the athlete or his/her parents.
“Now, 16 years later, I’ll see grown men and women. (They’ll) stop me and say, ‘You know what, we really appreciated what you did,’” Smith said.
Those efforts, and Smith’s caring, is certainly not lost on the young athletes.
“It’s cool. He comes to every game. He came to all of our Ohio games, and he’s just a great dude,” Muskegon junior football standout Recarder Kitchen said. “Before the game starts, I check up on him, go shake his hand. When we talk, it’s always nice things, like, ‘How are you? Have a great game.’ Just a real cool, respectful dude to be around.”
Said senior Demetrius Murdaugh: “I really love Craig. I actually talked to him a lot last season. I would text him and say thank you for the pictures. This season, I asked him for some pictures at the beginning. He was like, ‘For sure. One-hundred percent.’ He remembered my number and this was my first season starting. He’s a great person.”
Smith looks forward to every game day. When Muskegon is not playing, you might find Smith at another school in the Muskegon area, preserving memories for its athletes as well.
Fairfield can’t thank Smith enough for what he does for Muskegon’s youth and athletic programs as a whole.
It’s much deeper than that, however.
“I hope we show him that we were worth defending,” Fairfield said.
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