Harry Smith of Maryland, originally from Sarver, plans to drive his 2005 Jeep Wrangler Willys, above, in the Jeep Parade on July 12 and is looking for a WWII veteran to ride with him.

A Maryland man wants to use the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival to honor a World War II veteran.

Harry Smith of Hampstead, Md., is signed up for the Jeep Parade and Jeep Invasion June 12 and is looking for a veteran who fought in WWII to ride with him.

Smith, 66, is originally from Sarver and graduated from Freeport High School and Lenape Tech in 1967.

In December 1967, he enlisted in the Air Force and fought in the Vietnam War. He attended Butler County Community College.

He lives in Maryland where he has worked as an information technology specialist for more than 30 years.

Smith said he still has family in the Butler area and comes back to visit a couple times a year, including for the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival the past two years.

He owns a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Willys, a special edition Jeep produced in 2004 and 2005 that pays homage to the Army-commissioned Willys MB Jeeps used in WWII. His Jeep is green and has an Army logo and lettering.

Active with the American Legion, Smith said he has met only a few WWII veterans. Riding in the parade could be a chance for them to recount some memories from their days in the service.

“With a World War II veteran, it would be more of an honor to me because they are older and there are not many of them left,” he said. “Hopefully it would give him an opportunity to relive some good memories.”

Any WWII veterans, their friends or family can reach Smith by e-mail at hsmith4219@aol.com or at 410-746-3912.

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Harry Smith