Veteran’s Day 2020--Thanks for Keeping Our Country Safe!
By Henry Carl “Hank” Schrader, Jr. Maj (ret), Infantry
On Tuesday 10 November 2020, I got an e-mail from a classmate of mine to ask if I could provide him some information about the achievements of our 1971 graduating class from West Point. He is going to be the featured speaker at Branch Night at West Point on 2 December 2020. This is where the members of the Class of 2021 will find out their branch assignments upon graduation and commissioning in the United States Army.
So, this got me thinking, I really should provide a tribute to my classmates.
Our Class Coin
This is something very personal—nothing has had as much impact on my life as serving in the military, attending West Point, and having 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 2020.
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.
Veterans have taken 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—we have lost one member of my class in defense of our country.
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 in WW II in Europe, was in the Korean War and last served in combat in Vietnam--a little over 7 years in combat. He was an engineer officer—loved to build things and he was excellent at it. You are my hero and inspiration Dad!
My Dad’s Command Photo in Vietnam 1970
Neither of these two brave men are with anymore—rest in peace—you made the world a better place.
My Dad’s headstone at Arlington National Cemetery
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), Dalton and Mindy
My niece, Mindy Kay is on active duty in the Air Force.
Mindy
Dalton with his Mom after the commissioning ceremony
I had the honor in May of last year 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 has started his active duty service as an Artillery Officer in January 2020.
Thanks for your service—you three young ones have made me proud (you can say those things when you are 71)—you helped and are helping to keep our country safe!
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. Here are some of our class achievements (the data is about 95% to 99% accurate and any errors or omissions are mine alone but it still tells a great story of our class impact on the United States):
We graduated 729 men in our class of 1971.
According to our yearbook, here are the branches our classmates began their military service in: Air Defense Artillery 64; Adjutant General 4; Armor 81; Artillery Branch 148; Chemical Corps 1; Engineer 47; Finance 1; Infantry 243, Military Intelligence 33; Military Police 12; Medical Service 6; Ordnance 2; Signal 47; Transportation 7; and Quartermaster 1.
18 went into the Air Force and 3 joined the Navy. We had five foreign national cadets who returned to their countries.
We had 296 who retired from the armed forces, active or reserve (they served 20 years or more unless medically retired). Here is a breakdown of ranks achieved:
21 General officers {(3 Generals (4 stars--all foreign armies); 6 LTGs (3 stars), 6 MG (2 stars) and 6 BG (1 star)}; (one was an Air Force BG)
85 COL; 128 LTC; 30 MAJ; 1 CPT and 2 CAPTs in the Navy, (equivalent rank to an Army COL).
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.
Here is a list of those conflicts and the number of the class serving during these conflicts: Vietnam (12), Granada (2), Panama (9; 4 were Battalion Commanders), The Gulf War (26, 13 were Battalion Commanders), Bosnia (4, 1 was a Commanding General), Afghanistan (6, 2 were Commanding Generals) and Iraq (10, 3 were Commanding Generals).
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 them!
We had 130 return to teach or support operations at West Point (some twice), to include 2 back-to-back Superintendents, and one was the Dean. 2 were Department Heads of Instruction (Math, and Law)
Six members of our class have been selected as Distinguished Graduates. The Association of Graduates (AOG) has only recognized three foreign nationals as Distinguished Grads and we have two of them in our class. Only three classes have six Distinguished Grads – 1950, 1951, and 1971. The Class of 1956 has seven.
Our class has some impressive members who have served in the Federal Government. They include: a US Senator; an Ambassador at Large, Department of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism; an Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; an Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Manpower; an Acting Director, Federal Transportation Administration; a person who served in the Department of State, an Administrator, US International Development; 2 Senior Executive Services federal employees; and 3 working in Department of Veterans Affairs.
At the local government level we have 2 state representatives, 2 mayors, a county supervisor, 2 state judges, and several who have served in various state and city level departments.
We have 21 medical doctors in a variety of specialties, 6 dentists and 1 veterinarian.
Almost all members of the class have earned at least one or more post graduate degrees. We have 17 who have earned PHDs in disciplines other than the medical field (28 total in the medical fields)—a total of 35.
We have 25 who are lawyers (probably more) and many CEOs of various sized companies and enterprises.
Several hold patents, and have written books.
We have one Olympian – Lyle Nelson (Biathlon) who represented his country 4 times—holds record for most appearances in Olympics by any West Point grad. We have one member of the class in the Army Sports Hall of Fame and he is also in the US Lacrosse National Hall of Fame.
I think it is fair to say in the soon to be 50 years since we graduated, our class has helped to make the United States a better place from the service and achievements by members of the class of 1971.
You have truly achieved a multitude of service to the nation! As the class moto says it has truly been “Professionally Done”.
A Quick Salute to Those Who Have Trusted Their Travels to Us
After all, this is a travel blog, so here are the 71 folks who have traveled with us: Steve Marsh, John Howard, Jim West, Jerry Wright, John Bantsolas, Jeff Rock, Gerry Cummins, Gordy Schnabel, Jack Pingle, Art Baker, Danton Steele, Gerry James, Ken Hartlein, Marc Erlandson, Jim Buck, Tom Mannle, Bill Barkovic, Jack Chiles. Bob Fitton, Bill Mattfeld, Bruce Litwin, Glen Barefoot and Dave Hardman. We also have 2 more classmates who have trips planned with us in the future. Thanks to my 25 classmates that put their trust in us!
Here are some photos of their trips:
Jim, Tom, Hank and Bill are classmates
Hank, Jane and Len (‘75), Jim and Maureen (class of ‘71)
from left to right, Rand, Steve (‘71) and Barbara, Jim and Cindy, and John 2015 AmaWaterways River Cruise
Mary and Jack ‘71 at Angkor Watt in 2016
2016 AmaWaterways Cruise. On the far right John (‘71)
Kris and Marc my classmate
Jeff and Hank 2018 on an AmaWaterways cruise
Some of our 2019 D Day Tour Group. In the picture Gerry C, Jack P, Art B, Gerry J, and Jerry W. Not in the picture Gordy S all from ‘71.
Irene and John (‘71) on our 2019 AmaWaterways Cruise
Jerry (71) and Mary
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.
Anne supported me 100% while at Fort Ord and until my retirement. Here is a picture of us before we were married at Fort Ord.
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.
My Mom and Dad’s Wedding Photo in 1942
Another photo of my parents
My Mon in 2004 by her Kentucky Christmas Tree
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 about a family member.
For these ladies, Memorial Day happened more than once a year—it happened every time they came to Arlington National Cemetery for a funeral.
I also know several wives of my 71 classmates have also served as Arlington Ladies.
They too, like 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 and especially my 1971 West Point Classmates—Thanks for keeping our country safe!
Hank
