Joshua Schmitz laid to rest

Loyal - In this aptly named community, townsfolk gathered Wednesday night to pay their respects to a 21-year-old Marine who proudly received his diploma a few years ago in the same high school gym where his flag-draped casket was on display.

Two years ago this week, residents of this central Wisconsin city of 1,300 gathered for another tragic and poignant ceremony when Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Todd Olson was honored after losing his life in Iraq.

Wednesday it was Marine Cpl. Joshua Schmitz's turn. The 2003 Loyal High School graduate was killed the day after Christmas in Iraq, the same day Olson was mortally wounded in 2004.

Loyal Mayor Randy Anderson told the crowd that filled the gym that he remembered watching Schmitz dressed in maroon cap and gown walk across the stage to pick up his diploma less than four years before.

Speaking to Schmitz's mom and dad, two sisters and three younger brothers sitting in the front row, Anderson said, "Please know your loss is felt by the entire community."

Schmitz played football four years for the Loyal Greyhounds and was captain of the team as a senior, the same year he was named to the All-Conference 1st Team as an offensive lineman.

His football coach Chris Lindner told the crowd how much Schmitz loved playing football and how his upbeat personality pumped up his teammates.

Lindner recalled a practice during Schmitz's sophomore year when he was told to take on an older, bigger player. After Schmitz got knocked on his butt, his coach ran over to him.

"He was laying on his back, snot all over his face, big smile and he said, 'Coach, it's true. You really can knock the snot out of someone,' " said Lindner.

Schmitz joined the Marines in September 2003, and was on his second tour of Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division when he was killed during combat operations in Anbar province. His coach said Schmitz's dream was to be a Marine.

"I could truly, truly feel he was proud to be a Marine and to serve his country," said Lindner.

Before he was a Marine, Schmitz was a son, a brother, a friend, an athlete and a musician. He played drums in his high school band and formed the 3rd Tri Rock Band with a couple of buddies.

In the back of the gym, well-wishers filed past a table laden with photos and awards won by Schmitz. His framed number 64 football jersey was displayed on an easel near a guitar and snare drum.

Residents of this small community that has endured more than its share wiped away tears as Marines silently filed up to Schmitz's casket and saluted him and listened to a choir sing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and watched a photo display on a screen in the darkened gym.

Set to patriotic music, the photos showed Schmitz in diapers, grinning in front of a chocolate birthday cake, holding a Packers pennant, flexing his biceps, posing next to a deer he shot during hunting season and hugging his family. The crowd watched Schmitz grow older and bigger in football team pictures, then photos of prom and graduation. And finally of a smiling Schmitz in his Marine dress uniform.

He would have celebrated his 22nd birthday next week.

From the Sentinel

Related Link:
Joshua M. Schmitz killed during combat operations