Veteran’s Day 2019--Thanks for Keeping Our Country Safe!
By Henry Carl “Hank” Schrader, Jr. Maj (ret), Infantry
A couple of times a year, I get to write something very personal. It usually is about veterans or my family or relatives—these are the experiences that have dominated my life.
But nothing has had as much an impact on my life as serving in the military, attending West Point, and have members of my family serve in the military.
Since about 1940 or so, someone related to me has served our country and help keep it safe.
To all of you who read this and served in the military, thank you for your service—most will never know how much you contributed to the well-being of our country and keeping it safe.
So, I thought I’d tell you a little about the folks who keep our country safe and send my humble thanks to them in recognition of Veterans Day 2019.
A Little History about Veterans Day
Veteran’s Day is celebrated on 11 November each year. The significance of this date commemorates the end of the fighting in WW I. For students of history, like me, we like to say “on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month the guns fell silent”—an easy way to remember the exact date and time of the end of hostilities of WW I in 1918.
This original celebration has changed in America from an Armistice Day observance into Veterans Day, the holiday that we celebrate today.
Veterans of all our military forces should be recognized for keeping our country safe and this blog is a tribute to all who have honorably served our country and their families.
Veterans Took a Simple Oath with a Huge Impact
Everyone who serves in the military takes an oath at a swearing in ceremony. They all swear to defend the country by these words, or similar words
“I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same”
While this not the entire oath, it is the key part—these folks are the front line of defending our way of life—pledging allegiance to the USA, and our Constitution.
Too many have paid the ultimate sacrifice with their life to make our country safe—they are special people who put others first.
Everyone who has served will probably relate to one of my favorite characterizations of all members’ military service—there are no easy days!
Even after retiring after 20 years in the Army, I made our family motto—“No Wimps”—I guess this just shows how the military shapes your life.
Based on my many military friends, they too were changed by their service—it just permeates who you are. And for the vast majority, all the good traits that come from military service, never leaves them.
It is no wonder I am always drawn to these folks.
Our Family Service Traditions
Anne’s Dad, Alfred W Ludtke, served in World War II, as an officer of Gen MacArthur’s personal staff in the Philippines. After the war, he continued his service in the reserves and rose to the rank of LTC. Thank you A. W. for your service and sacrifice for country!
My dad, Major General (retired) Henry Carl Schrader, served for 33 years. He defended our country during WW II in Europe, was in the Korean War and last served in combat in Vietnam--a little over 7 years total in combat. He was an engineer officer—loved to build things and he was excellent at it. You are my hero and inspiration Dad!
I was lucky to shake my Dad’s hand during his retirement ceremony in 1973—33 years of service
My Dad (right) with his Sgt. Major on an inspection tour in Vietnam 1970
Neither of these two brave gentlemen (Anne’s Dad and my Dad) are with us anymore—rest in peace—you made the world a better place.
My Dad’s Gravestone marker
I served for 20 years as an infantry officer.
My nephew Lance, served in the Army as part of the 10th Mountain Division in Bosnia. After his military service, he continues to serve our nation as first a police officer and now a fireman.
Hank, Lance in his fire inspector uniform, new 2Lt Dalton and Mom Mindy
My niece, Mindy Kay is on active duty in the Air Force.
A proud Mom Mindy with her new 2Lt son Dalton
I just had the honor in May of 2019 of helping continuing the family tradition by swearing in 2nd LT Dalton Andrews, Mindy’s son, during his graduation ceremonies from North Texas State University. He will start his active duty service as an Artillery Officer in January 2020.
Hank swearing in Dalton Andrews in May 2019 at North Texas State University
Anne, new 2Lt Dalton, and Hank after the swearing in ceremony
Thanks for your service—you three young ones have made me proud (you can say those things when you are 70)—you helped and are helping to keep our country safe!
A Few Words about My West Point Class of 1971
Sometimes, the best way to describe how our country’s veterans help keep our country safe is to use examples from your own experience.
In the 5 to 40 years or so that the 729 members of my West Point graduating class of 1971 were on active duty, they helped keep the country safe by serving in 7 major conflicts.
Hank graduating from West Point 9 June 1971—you can see the blurred images of my classmates in the background.
Here is a list of those conflicts: Vietnam, Granada, Panama, The Gulf War, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. For me, who did not serve in any of these conflicts, it is humbling to say the least.
They are perfect examples of selfless sacrifice—in the military you go where you are ordered to go. There are no excuses, you have a duty and an obligation. These guys are the rock stars of our class and I salute you!
However, it is not just those guys who kept our country safe—others were stationed in areas that deterred aggression from other countries. Some were ready to deploy in 18 hours to a potential hot spot in bases in the US and worldwide. Others supported them with the items necessary to carry out their missions.
We served during the Cold War. Some of us, like me, saw the fall of the Berlin Wall while on active duty.
All protected our country. You will never know about them—unsung heroes that helped keep our country safe.
They played an important role in our national defense. They all deserve recognition—again I salute you.
Our Family Support Groups
We should also recognize the families of our veterans—they also serve, maybe not directly, but they contribute behind the scenes and often make it possible for our vets to complete their missions. It is a rough life—separations, no notice deployments, constantly changing family situations that they must navigate, often with little help.
There is a constant worry something will go wrong—the military is a dangerous business whose members often go in harm’s way even when just training. Stress and coping with stress is a way of life. Trust me, it is not easy.
The Belle of the New Year’s Eve Celebration—Anne with Hank 1986
Here is just one example of the behind the scenes work of families (there are so many other examples I can’t tell you all of them but this one is personal)--the Arlington Ladies.
My Mom served as an Arlington Lady.
Marium and Henry on their wedding day 22 August 1942.
For those who do not know what an Arlington Lady is, every soldier who is buried at Arlington National Cemetery has a volunteer lady, who attends the service, to let our service members know their service is recognized and they are not buried alone. This is especially important for those who have sacrificed and may not have family members present. The ladies present cards of condolence to the next of kin from the military service chief and spouse on behalf of the service family, and from the Arlington Lady herself.
One of the duties, is to try and remain composed, but after the ceremony, most of these ladies, cry their eyes out when alone—I know my Mom often did. I’m sure many think it could be me next getting the condolence card.
For these ladies, Memorial Day happened more than once a year—it happened every time they came to Arlington National Cemetery for a funeral.
This was one of my Mom’s favorite pictures—she and Dad hiking at Peaks of Otter VA
I also know several wives of my 71 classmates have also served as Arlington Ladies.
They too, along with all family members, deserve to hear “Thanks for keeping our country safe”
A Final Thought
Of all the services our government provides its citizens, there is none more important that defense of our nation and our way of life.
Today, less than 0.05% of our nation’s citizens are serving our country in the armed forces.
These men and women, deserve more than thanks for their service. Maybe next time you meet a veteran, why not say something like this “Thanks for keeping our country Safe!”
Trust me, those who have served will appreciate it more than you could ever understand—why not tell a vet or his family that you know your freedom and safety depends on those who serve?
For me it was an honor to serve and most vets I know feel the same way—they are proud and humble, who did what was required and made sacrifices for the common good.
To all my fellow veterans and their families—Thanks for keeping our country safe!
Hank in Panama 1978
Hank
