Eulogy for a WW2 Hero - 101st 'Screaming Eagles'

jdwetterling.com ^ | 2-06-07 | J D Wetterling

[Jackknife]

A Eulogy for Rene Schmidt, Soldier of the Cross

Last Thursday night, Feb. 1, 2007, my brother in Christ, Rene Schmidt, Soldier of the Cross, was honorably discharged from the battle of this life at age 89. It appeared God just stilled his great heart and his soul departed in peace. What an uncommon blessing for an uncommon saint! I know he’s never been happier, nor I for him. Without ever shirking God’s call on his life, he spoke often to me, in the five years I knew him, of his longing to be in heaven with Jesus and reunited with “my Virginia,” his beloved wife and co-heir. I have not smiled so, through so much selfish sadness, since my saintly mother joined the church triumphant eight years and two days ahead of Rene.

Frances Turretin said, “The belief that we shall never die is the foundation of dying well.” Everyone who knew Rene knows he died well. And God’s man in the trenches died in the manner we would all choose if we were in control—physically active, with a mind as sharp as a bayonet point, until the night he lay down on his bed and woke up in heaven. ....[snip]

[snip].... My friend, Rene (pronounced "Ren"), was with General Eisenhower when the above classic photograph was taken on an historic day with some of America’s finest warriors—D-Day and the 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles.” He was standing near the photographer, across from his friends Billy Hayes (hatless, chin on Ike's thumb) and platoon leader Walter Strobel (tall guy in front of Ike).

[Jackknife]

I was privileged to know this fine American soldier in the last 9 years of his life. He was a gentleman, and a hero to me. I only saw him once every few months, but each time, he told me that he said a prayer for me, and I now salute his life. Thanks to my friend, JD, for this wonderful eulogy.

[Jackknife]

[unkus]

God bless him. God bless all our brave men and women who have served and sacrificed and gone on.

[Jackknife]

Ping to my NASCAR buds ..... the passing of a hero.

[I got the rope]

Praying and bumping for this man's family and friends. Thanks for telling us about him.

[NYTexan]

May God bless his soul.

[sgtyork]

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

[Wolfstar]

Prayers for the repose of the soul of a Screaming Eagles hero.

[SE Mom]

Thank you for posting this...

Godspeed, soldier.

(Proud Mom of another Screaming Eagle)

[EDINVA]

Rene Schmidt's spirit lives in your son. We thank both for their service.

[ErnBatavia]

Thank you for posting this.

[SouthTexas]

I thank the Lord for members of this generation and I pray we are up to keeping what they secured for us.

May he rest in peace.

[glock rocks]

A fine tribute to an American Hero.

Thanks Jackknife.

[girlangler]

I have had the honor of spending time fishing and socializing with some Screaming Eagles recently, and they are the finest this country has to offer.

I thank the WWII Eagle, and his family, for his service, and all the families who gave us the fine young men we have serving today.

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks for the pings.

101st Screaming Eagles BumP.

.. he rose to the highest enlisted rank in the Army, an exalted position reserved for only the best of the best, the toughest soldier the world’s greatest military can produce—sergeant-major.

RIP Sgt. Maj. Schmidt

[tubebender]

Thank you so much for the ping to Salute this Hero of Heros. I have a read a few stories of the 101st mission on D Day as I also met a survivor of that mission and he would open up to me on occasion because he knew my brother was a bombardier on a B17 and was a German POW for almost a year.

He was about as short as the hatless guy in the photo. It reminds me I need to visit his widow...

[andrew2527]

Without him, we would not know America.

[steveegg]

Amen, and ping

[RedRover]

Thanks for sharing this, Jackknife. You were lucky to know such a man--and America is lucky to have such warriors.

[Jackknife]

Ping