Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz’s Final Homecoming
On Wednesday, September 8, 2021, I stood in support and respect of the family of the young Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz. It was solemn. I was in awe of our humanity. It reminded me of what we are all capable of doing.
In my lifetime, I have never witnessed people coming together as they did on Wednesday. There were no politics, no colors, just everyone coming together unified for what was a terrible situation.
I listened to God Bless America playing in the distance, others pledging allegiance to our flags flying as far as the eye could see and saying prayers. A sea of people (thousands) lined up along the route from St. Louis Airport to St. Charles, MO, all coming together. It was so quiet as the procession came through, hands on hearts and salutes. It made me cry.
As I look back on the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, it was another time in our history, for a brief moment, we could all come together. This shows me we are all capable of supporting and respecting each other when we want to. Does it always have to be after horrific events?
Jared was twenty years old. If you put it in its proper perspective, he was only out of high school a little over two years. Yet, this one-man plus twelve of his comrades could bring us all together united in our grief. Hopefully, soon, we can remember united we stand, one nation under God, indivisible, and what our country was founded on; why young men and women put on uniforms, most to do a job they love, to keep us all safe. It is the same with the first responders and every other person who wears a uniform. God bless all of them.
Maybe one day we can all come together and be able to agree to disagree respectfully. People can stop to hear each other and listen to one another as they did this past Wednesday and the day after 911 so long ago.
Semper Fi (always faithful and always loyal) for Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, one of eleven Marines, one Navy Corpsman and one Army soldier killed due to an enemy attack while supporting non-combative evacuation operations, the ultimate sacrifice. May you all rest easy, and may we never forget.
Remember to keep the circle positive, peaceful and loving. ©
Written with love.
Thank you KC for the photo.
Joy M. Mills
Copyright © 2021
MJM ®
**This article is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal or other professional advice. This article was written to support, not replace medical or psychiatric treatment. Please seek professional care if you feel you have a condition.