Joshua "Oompa" Schmit laid to rest

Friends and family of Joshua Schmit painted a picture of him today as a fun-loving, patriotic young man who married the love of his life.

The 26-year-old Army sergeant from Willmar was killed in Fallujah, Iraq, on April 14th. Around 12-hundred people turned out for his funeral today at the Willmar Civic Center, where he used to play high school hockey.

His uncle, Steve Dolce, of Minneapolis read Schmit's final e-mail from Iraq, dated April Fifth, in which he said he was looking forward to coming home, joining his wife Andrea, and taking a trip around the world.

In the audience was Gov. Tim Pawlenty. During the funeral, Schmit was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, Iraq War Campaign ribbon and Meritorious Service Award.

From the West Central Tribune

Related Link:
Joshua 'Oompa' Schmit dies of injuries from I.E.D.