Bob Jackson is trying to honor the memory of a local military hero and posthumous Medal of Honor recipient who tragically lost his life. But after four years of efforts, fundraising for a permanent memorial has hit a wall.
Jackson, a Summerville, S.C., councilman since 2007, has made it his mission to honor one of his town’s own. Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz, a Summerville native, was killed in 2018 in Afghanistan.
Celiz deployed from 2008 to 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to the service, and then from 2011 to 2012 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was on his fifth deployment with the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, when he died.
It was in 2022 when Jackson took the local mantle of wanting to preserve Celiz’s memory, pushing residents, organizations and veterans’ groups in and around the 60,000-resident city in the Palmetto State to fundraise for a permanent memorial dedicated to Celiz’s service.
Four years later, roughly $130,000 has been raised; however, the memorial requires approximately $250,000 for completion and erection.
“There was a councilman whose son was a friend of [Celiz’s] back then. He asked me about a [memorial] location and things,” Jackson told Military.com. “And then he kind of got busy. And I was like, ‘If you want to help, fine, but I’m taking over. This has to happen.’
“I took it before the town and the county. They asked, ‘Who’s it’s going to pay for it?’ I said, ‘I don’t know, but it’s going to happen.’ So, that’s that’s kind of where I am now.”
A Family Without a Husband, Father
Celiz’s death left a gaping hole not just in a family but a large community.
Summerville, located roughly 25 miles northwest of Charleston, was Celiz’s home and where he went to high school. That was where he met his eventual wife, Katherine, and later married and gave birth to a daughter, who is now 15 years old.
Katherine told local ABC News 4 that the memorial isn’t just about his military service but the type of person he was, notably at home.
“Summerville is where our story began, where we walked the halls of Summerville High School together and fell in love. … To the world, he is a hero, but to me he was a man defined by his contagious smile, lighthearted sarcasm, and an unwavering willingness to always do what he felt was right,” Katherine told ABC 4.
Celiz’s “commitment to service never wavered,” she added, mentioning his ascent from his years at the Citadel to his active-duty roles.
Jackson told Military.com that Celiz once places rose petals in a jacket he gave to his eventual wife to wear, and the rest was “history.”
Katherine described Christopher as a man whose personality went far beyond his military accomplishments.
“The upcoming statue of Christopher, in the town that shaped the man he became, will feel like a part of him never left,” she said.
Seeing the Memorial Through
Celiz’s list of honors is long.
According to the Army, his awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (2 bronze oak leaf clusters), the Navy Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medals (4 bronze oak leaf clusters), the Meritorious Unit Citation Medal (2), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star (3), the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star (2), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Ranger tab, the Sapper tab, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.
Military.com was provided images of the bronze memorial statue and plaque being planned for him, which Jackson said will be located near the corner of Main Street and Highway 78.
Jackson said that Summerville and its location should be able to garner more attention and, in turn, fundraising for the memorial.
“I would think so because we’ve always had a military and an air force base there, from back in colonial days because it’s basically Charleston, S.C.,” he said. “We now have a big air base and naval weapons station and an army shipment depot. Lindsey Graham, who just died, he gave some to it also.”
Asked how to get to the financial finish line, Jackson simply replied, “Just keep advertising.”
“Basically, I think the community owes them something,” he said. “I believe we, the town and the county, is going to make it happen.”
Jackson is also chair of the Summerville Parks Foundation, which is collecting 501(c)(3) donations.
Anyone who wants to donate can scan the QR code within this story and use their smartphone to make a payment.
Or, they can write and send a check with the following information: “Attention: Amy Evans, 301 N Hickory St, Summerville, SC 29483.” All checks should be made payable to the Summerville Parks Foundation.”
Individuals can also contact [email protected] with the subject line “Chris Celiz.”
Read the full article here