Tuesday, November 28, 2006
The Guys
Joe, Gus, Tom, Dave, Derrick, Nick, James, Luke, Paul, Jake , and KirkFriday, November 24, 2006
Thanksgiving Fun
So, Luke's break has been fun. Almost to the end though. Calm, it seems, is anything BUT what this vacation has been. Right away he attended mass and got lots of attention, and from there made a visit to school, drinks with Chelsea and I and has been busy since. We traveled to Bemidji on Tuesday afternoon (I couldn't get out of a 6am work shift) and got together with a bunch of our friends that haven't seen him since New Years or even before that. Good night, it was filled with food, a mock thanksgiving dinner, and friends with silly games and a little liquid fun. Wednesday we traveled home and I don't really remember too much about that day, I think it may have been quite chill, or what my friends call "chillax"
Thanksgiving was really fun. I was pretty nervous going to another families thanksgiving, but talking with everyone and seeing him with his family finally was a great site. I even became a photographer! Ha, we'll see if those actually turn out. Since I was told Mary and Claire enjoy reading these, I better give a shout out to those busy girls, and yes Mary, very impressed with the trophies! and I may have a new buddy with Grace :). The food was very yummy and the movie Flushed Away, was...well, a nice relaxing after huge food event. But it sounds like it was better than the reviews of Happy Feet or even worse, Santa Clause 3. I think the family holiday movies are lacking in quality so far.
Anyway, this morning Luke and I enjoyed coffee and breakfast with pretty much every guy we hung out with in high school at good ole Lakes Cafe. I left for a while and when I came back, they had barely moved after and hour and half. Another chance for me to become a photographer at the moment as they all posed in front of the perham turtle slide. Then Luke and I whisked off to St. Cloud to meet up with his army buddy Stute and his girlfriend Heather. We enjoyed nice fatty greasy food at Buffalo Wild Wings and then traveled the mall for no reason at all.
It was a great visit, and Stute gave Luke a bracelet he had made of Sgt. Joshua Hanson for a remembrance.
Thanksgiving was really fun. I was pretty nervous going to another families thanksgiving, but talking with everyone and seeing him with his family finally was a great site. I even became a photographer! Ha, we'll see if those actually turn out. Since I was told Mary and Claire enjoy reading these, I better give a shout out to those busy girls, and yes Mary, very impressed with the trophies! and I may have a new buddy with Grace :). The food was very yummy and the movie Flushed Away, was...well, a nice relaxing after huge food event. But it sounds like it was better than the reviews of Happy Feet or even worse, Santa Clause 3. I think the family holiday movies are lacking in quality so far.
Anyway, this morning Luke and I enjoyed coffee and breakfast with pretty much every guy we hung out with in high school at good ole Lakes Cafe. I left for a while and when I came back, they had barely moved after and hour and half. Another chance for me to become a photographer at the moment as they all posed in front of the perham turtle slide. Then Luke and I whisked off to St. Cloud to meet up with his army buddy Stute and his girlfriend Heather. We enjoyed nice fatty greasy food at Buffalo Wild Wings and then traveled the mall for no reason at all.
It was a great visit, and Stute gave Luke a bracelet he had made of Sgt. Joshua Hanson for a remembrance.
OOh, perfect opportunity here to say a little something about him. Because his parents worked at Maplewood State Park, between Vergus and Pelican, they are building a picnic shelter in his name...a great opportunity for all to support the troops...hint hint :) You can contact the State Park office or I think even the Chamber in Pelican.
Ok on we go, sorry so long. Luke leaves Sunday for another round of Texan Fun. Oh but not to worry, he will be home in a blink of an eye for his Christmas break! Yes, maybe a month he will be gone and back with us. And this time for like 30 DAYS. Amazing, 30 days. I dont think we've been in each other's presence for more than 14 days (except the hospital) in 16 months!
But I think this has been long enough, I'm sure some people dropped off like 3 paragraphs ago, but I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and safe travels back. And now, crunch time for presents..ahhhh
Friday, November 17, 2006
HOME!
LUKE IS HOME TOMORROW...YIPPEE!!!!
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Lukes Visit From Capt. Gilbertson/ Awarded Combat Infantry Badge
Luke just being cute.A Luke Note
I recently got a phone call from my cpt from Iraq saying that I was to be awarded the Bronze Star. I was very speechless and thankful for this outsanding reward. I recived the narrative to accompany the award and thought it would be nice to share it. It is basicly a summary of what happened to me in Iraq. I know some people are courious as to what happen so I will share this with you.
Narrative To Accompany The Award Of Bronze Star MedalTo Specialist Lucas Schmitz
Specialist Lucas T. Schmitz, United States Army, distinguishing himself by execptionally meritorious conduct, in the performence of outstanding service to the United States and the Iraqi people as a turret gunner for Alpha Company, 2-136 Combined Arms Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom rotation 06-08.Specialist Schmitz went above and beyond the call of duty by maintaining his calm demeanor and concern for fellow soldiers when he was catastrophically injured during and IED attack on his vehicle. SPC Schmitz's vechile was struck by an IED. In effort to secure the disabled vehicle SPC Schmitz immediately dismounted and courageously began to execute his 25 meter search. While conducting the 25 meter search around the vehicle SPC Schmitz unknowingly triggered a hidden secondary IED consisting of two 122 mm mortors. Upon detonation of the IED, Specialist Schmitz sustained catastrophic shrapnel wounds, destroying his right leg and injuring his right hand and forearm as well as suffering multiple shrapnel wounds to the rest of his body. SPC Schmitz kept his composure despite absorbing a majority of the blast of two 122 mm mortor rounds. He immediately began to administer self-aid for his wounds. Recognizing that his leg was nearly severed below the knee, Specialist Schmitz began to apply a tourniquet to his own leg using his broken right arm until an aid team arrived. Throughout the ordeal SPC Schmitz displayed his dedication to duty with his primary concern being for his fire teamates rather than for himself. Furthermore, Specialist Schmitz served as the primary turret gunner for his fire team on 55 successful combat patrols against and armed enemy in AO Topeka. 21 combat patrols were completed durning the hours of darkness when the threat of IEDs is the largest. While serving as a gunner, Specialist Schmitz's attention to subtle changes in the roadside and town environments allowed his patrol to travel their assigned sectors without incident.His actions are in keeping of the finest traditions of the military service and reflects distinct credit upon himself, his unit, 2/136 Combined Arms Battalion, 1/34 Brigade Combat Team and the United States Army.
Narrative To Accompany The Award Of Bronze Star MedalTo Specialist Lucas Schmitz
Specialist Lucas T. Schmitz, United States Army, distinguishing himself by execptionally meritorious conduct, in the performence of outstanding service to the United States and the Iraqi people as a turret gunner for Alpha Company, 2-136 Combined Arms Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom rotation 06-08.Specialist Schmitz went above and beyond the call of duty by maintaining his calm demeanor and concern for fellow soldiers when he was catastrophically injured during and IED attack on his vehicle. SPC Schmitz's vechile was struck by an IED. In effort to secure the disabled vehicle SPC Schmitz immediately dismounted and courageously began to execute his 25 meter search. While conducting the 25 meter search around the vehicle SPC Schmitz unknowingly triggered a hidden secondary IED consisting of two 122 mm mortors. Upon detonation of the IED, Specialist Schmitz sustained catastrophic shrapnel wounds, destroying his right leg and injuring his right hand and forearm as well as suffering multiple shrapnel wounds to the rest of his body. SPC Schmitz kept his composure despite absorbing a majority of the blast of two 122 mm mortor rounds. He immediately began to administer self-aid for his wounds. Recognizing that his leg was nearly severed below the knee, Specialist Schmitz began to apply a tourniquet to his own leg using his broken right arm until an aid team arrived. Throughout the ordeal SPC Schmitz displayed his dedication to duty with his primary concern being for his fire teamates rather than for himself. Furthermore, Specialist Schmitz served as the primary turret gunner for his fire team on 55 successful combat patrols against and armed enemy in AO Topeka. 21 combat patrols were completed durning the hours of darkness when the threat of IEDs is the largest. While serving as a gunner, Specialist Schmitz's attention to subtle changes in the roadside and town environments allowed his patrol to travel their assigned sectors without incident.His actions are in keeping of the finest traditions of the military service and reflects distinct credit upon himself, his unit, 2/136 Combined Arms Battalion, 1/34 Brigade Combat Team and the United States Army.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The Veterans Day Speech
The plan was to have Luke send a video message, but because of his busy schedule and the difficulty of the questions, he never recorded it. However, he did write a speech he wanted me to give. These are his words:
When asked to tell the story of my experiences, I became very overwhelmed. How do I explain who I am and what I've done? Where I will start is who I am.
I am Luke Schmitz, I sat in the seats that you sit in now, I was taught by many of your same teachers. I would like to say I'm a normal guy, I love hunting, fishing, hanging with friends and of course girls. What made me join the military was guilt. I felt guilty watching the news and seeing men fight and die. I felt guilty that I wasn't doing anything. I tried to go through college with this guilt hanging over me. I finally decided to sign up. I walked into the Bemidji National Guard armory one day and sat down and told them I wanted to join the Infantry. A day later I was raising my right hand and swearing an oath to defend man, country and to uphold the constitution. From that day my “would be” normal life was changed forever. Speeding through all the sweat, cold, blisters, aches and long days of training; I found myself in Iraq. I was now a specialist in Able Company 2 of the 136 Combat Arms Brigade. This is who I am
I decided that there really is no way for me to ease into what happened on July 25th 2006. So I will just try to quickly explain.
My squad and I were coming back from one of our daily patrols out on sector. It had been a long day and I asked my fellow squad mate if he could gun for me. He obliged and climbed up into the gun turret that was mounted on top of our fully Up armored Humvee. We were leading the other three gun-trucks back on a dirt road when the first IED hit us. The loud explosion completely blew the front of our truck off. Immediately the inside filled with smoke and we all were yelling to get out. I grabbed my rifle quickly and got out of the smoking truck. I saw my friend and battle buddy Mike Klienschmidt (from Vergas) get out with me. We both turned back and helped Brian Schmidt out of the truck. I turned quickly to look to see if my team leader was ok, he was getting out and yelling to get back to the second humvee. I ran out and scanned the hill side next to us for the IED detonator or an ambush. I yelled back to Mike and Schmidt to run to the second truck. As I ran ahead of them both I stepped on a pressure censored IED. Two 125 millimeter mortars exploded only feet away from me. I was tossed into the air and landed on my back. With my head spinning and ears ringing I sat up and saw that my right leg had been sheered almost completely off. There was no pain only fear. I screamed yelling for Mike and turned to find him near our burning humvee. I looked down at my leg seeing it bleeding very severely. I knew it was arterial bleeding and I needed to stop it quickly. I thumbed down on my vest to get my tourniquet out. My right hand was useless due to my thumb being almost severed off and the other shrapnel sticking out of it. I managed to get the tourniquet out and ready to be put on when our medic got to me. I calmed down and told him to get it on. After that I told him to check me over for any other severe bleeding. Once I was assessed on the ground they moved me to a Humvee and raced out of the area.
Through it all I was awake. I started to get cold and thirsty and knew what that meant. I was close to going into shock. I told Mike what to tell my parents and Tina and got ready to die.
Things after I got to the field hospital get blurry because I was in and out of consciousness for about 2 weeks. A month after the accident the blurry haze of antibiotics, painkillers and my severe concussion started to fade away. I beat it.
Now that it's Veterans Day, 3 and a half months after my injury I'm thinking a lot about who I am now. I still feel as if I am a soldier. I think every day about my friends and comrades back in Iraq. I feel guilt. The guilt I felt before I joined. I feel guilty not being there with them. I feel like I need to protect them, but I can't. I pray and hope every day that nothing happens and everyone is safe. All soldiers over seas are working unbelievably hard every day for us and each other. Veterans Day isn't a day that you roll your eyes and get out of class to come listen to some speech. It means that you honor the retired, the fallen, the wounded, and the still working troops that have and are still fighting for us. I will leave you with the sacrifices made so far in this war in Iraq for you to reflect on. Each number is a man or women,, a real person that has served to the fullest.
2839 deaths, including my friend and Sergeant, Joshua Hanson
21,572 wounded
There are numerous stories of his 3 and ½ months of recovery, ones that will be engraved in Lukes’, his family and my mind forever. The recovery process had some major downfalls, 2 of which almost took his life. Luke is a remarkable individual and his life is forever changed. He is no longer just a soldier, he has become a hometown hero.
Veterans aren’t just the guys who march in parades and tell war stories, and War isn’t a thing of the past you watch on the history channel or suffer through in History class, Veterans are all those, living and dead, who served with the U.S. armed forces.
The military has affected my life in a very big way, and I didn’t have to enlist. When my dad retired from the National Guard I thought my military experience was over and I told myself I would never date a military man. Ha.
I would like to introduce my dad, who explained so much during my experience with the military and has supported me the most. He is a Retired Colonel in the National Guard, and at one time commanded the same battalion Luke is a part of, within the Red Bull Division. Some of the men Luke trained with were even trained by my father. Arnie Rethemeier, during his 30 years of service, received The Meritorious Service Award, Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.
The plan was to have Luke send a video message, but because of his busy schedule and the difficulty of the questions, he never recorded it. However, he did write a speech he wanted me to give. These are his words:
When asked to tell the story of my experiences, I became very overwhelmed. How do I explain who I am and what I've done? Where I will start is who I am.
I am Luke Schmitz, I sat in the seats that you sit in now, I was taught by many of your same teachers. I would like to say I'm a normal guy, I love hunting, fishing, hanging with friends and of course girls. What made me join the military was guilt. I felt guilty watching the news and seeing men fight and die. I felt guilty that I wasn't doing anything. I tried to go through college with this guilt hanging over me. I finally decided to sign up. I walked into the Bemidji National Guard armory one day and sat down and told them I wanted to join the Infantry. A day later I was raising my right hand and swearing an oath to defend man, country and to uphold the constitution. From that day my “would be” normal life was changed forever. Speeding through all the sweat, cold, blisters, aches and long days of training; I found myself in Iraq. I was now a specialist in Able Company 2 of the 136 Combat Arms Brigade. This is who I am
I decided that there really is no way for me to ease into what happened on July 25th 2006. So I will just try to quickly explain.
My squad and I were coming back from one of our daily patrols out on sector. It had been a long day and I asked my fellow squad mate if he could gun for me. He obliged and climbed up into the gun turret that was mounted on top of our fully Up armored Humvee. We were leading the other three gun-trucks back on a dirt road when the first IED hit us. The loud explosion completely blew the front of our truck off. Immediately the inside filled with smoke and we all were yelling to get out. I grabbed my rifle quickly and got out of the smoking truck. I saw my friend and battle buddy Mike Klienschmidt (from Vergas) get out with me. We both turned back and helped Brian Schmidt out of the truck. I turned quickly to look to see if my team leader was ok, he was getting out and yelling to get back to the second humvee. I ran out and scanned the hill side next to us for the IED detonator or an ambush. I yelled back to Mike and Schmidt to run to the second truck. As I ran ahead of them both I stepped on a pressure censored IED. Two 125 millimeter mortars exploded only feet away from me. I was tossed into the air and landed on my back. With my head spinning and ears ringing I sat up and saw that my right leg had been sheered almost completely off. There was no pain only fear. I screamed yelling for Mike and turned to find him near our burning humvee. I looked down at my leg seeing it bleeding very severely. I knew it was arterial bleeding and I needed to stop it quickly. I thumbed down on my vest to get my tourniquet out. My right hand was useless due to my thumb being almost severed off and the other shrapnel sticking out of it. I managed to get the tourniquet out and ready to be put on when our medic got to me. I calmed down and told him to get it on. After that I told him to check me over for any other severe bleeding. Once I was assessed on the ground they moved me to a Humvee and raced out of the area.
Through it all I was awake. I started to get cold and thirsty and knew what that meant. I was close to going into shock. I told Mike what to tell my parents and Tina and got ready to die.
Things after I got to the field hospital get blurry because I was in and out of consciousness for about 2 weeks. A month after the accident the blurry haze of antibiotics, painkillers and my severe concussion started to fade away. I beat it.
Now that it's Veterans Day, 3 and a half months after my injury I'm thinking a lot about who I am now. I still feel as if I am a soldier. I think every day about my friends and comrades back in Iraq. I feel guilt. The guilt I felt before I joined. I feel guilty not being there with them. I feel like I need to protect them, but I can't. I pray and hope every day that nothing happens and everyone is safe. All soldiers over seas are working unbelievably hard every day for us and each other. Veterans Day isn't a day that you roll your eyes and get out of class to come listen to some speech. It means that you honor the retired, the fallen, the wounded, and the still working troops that have and are still fighting for us. I will leave you with the sacrifices made so far in this war in Iraq for you to reflect on. Each number is a man or women,, a real person that has served to the fullest.
2839 deaths, including my friend and Sergeant, Joshua Hanson
21,572 wounded
There are numerous stories of his 3 and ½ months of recovery, ones that will be engraved in Lukes’, his family and my mind forever. The recovery process had some major downfalls, 2 of which almost took his life. Luke is a remarkable individual and his life is forever changed. He is no longer just a soldier, he has become a hometown hero.
Veterans aren’t just the guys who march in parades and tell war stories, and War isn’t a thing of the past you watch on the history channel or suffer through in History class, Veterans are all those, living and dead, who served with the U.S. armed forces.
The military has affected my life in a very big way, and I didn’t have to enlist. When my dad retired from the National Guard I thought my military experience was over and I told myself I would never date a military man. Ha.
I would like to introduce my dad, who explained so much during my experience with the military and has supported me the most. He is a Retired Colonel in the National Guard, and at one time commanded the same battalion Luke is a part of, within the Red Bull Division. Some of the men Luke trained with were even trained by my father. Arnie Rethemeier, during his 30 years of service, received The Meritorious Service Award, Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
BRONZE STAR FOR LUKE!!!
yea! 11 days and luke will be in Minnesota, its about time! Things are sounding good down there, walking on his new leg with a cane, big improvement! This Friday, the 10th the high school in Perham is honoring local Veterans, including Luke of course. They want me to give a little speech thing and introduce Lukes story and my dad will also be talking. Oh man. I have no idea what I want to say....uh oh! So i'll be writing that tonight.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
BAMC Mailroom
Attn: Luke Schmitz
3851 Roger Brooke Dr., Dept. 189
Fort Sam Houston, Tx 78234-6200
Attn: Luke Schmitz
3851 Roger Brooke Dr., Dept. 189
Fort Sam Houston, Tx 78234-6200
Ok, so here is the honest truth. I have no idea whats going on in Texas, a phone call to Nancy may have to happen so I know whats going on. All I know right now is that Luke moved in his barrack and has his internet and tv all set up. Also, he has a sore spot on his limb that is concerning him and PT team. He is having a hard time walking on it right now and is back to wheeling around for the most part. When I called him today at 12:30, he was on his way to an X-ray for his hand. Sounds like his new leg is now out of the oven and ready for work. He's flying home soon and of course I'm excited, and I sure the SCHMITZ clan is too, a Thanksgiving worth so much. I will post Lukes new address when I get it.
