Schiltz calls Honor Fight guardian role rewarding

(Photo contributed) Iowa Rep. Steve King met with the Honor Flight veterans and guardians at the World War II Memorial. Pictured are (from left) -- Keith Schiltz, Steve King, Leo Weber and Leon Hinkel, the two veterans who Schiltz served as guardian during the trip. [Click to enlarge]

The Honor Flight Oct. 13 took 108 World War II veterans to Washington, D.C., to view the World War II Memorial and other memorials in the area, and honor them for their military service.

This was the third flight organized out of Sioux City.

After the first flight, Schiltz applied to be a guardian, someone who is assigned to assist one or two veterans throughout the trip.

That help may include passing out food and water, assisting in board the plane and bus during the tour, pushing a wheelchair, taking pictures, and any other thing the veteran may need.

Schiltz felt a connection and need to go. His father, Irvin Schiltz, served in World War II during the Battle of the Bulge serving on the motor pool.

"He told some stories, but I think he had some stories yet to tell," Schiltz said.

His father died in 2000 at the age of 85.

Because of his father's military service, Schiltz joined the Wasmer Post's Sons of the American Legion, an organization for those who have a direct bloodline connection to a veteran.

Members of the organization help with American Legion duties such as color guard, honor guard, and at events such as dinners at the club, Memorial Day and July 4th programs.

"Being a Sons of American Legion member, I wanted to help these guys out. Our World War II veterans are dying off at a rapid rate," Schiltz said. "The younger generation needs to step up to help them and carry on the traditions."

Schiltz helped two veterans on the trip. Leon Hinkel, of Whiting, served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Moele. Leo Weber, of Mapleton, served in the Army infantry.

The Honor Flight plane left Sioux City at 7 a.m. with 108 veterans, 47 guardians, medical personnel along with Cathy Mueller, organizer of the Siouxland Honor Flight.

At Dulles airport in Washington, D.C., the plane was greeted with a water arch provided by two fire trucks with water cannons. The national honor fight director, who was on their flight, said such the water arch was a special arrangement, usually reserved for retiring pilots.

The first stop was the Iwo Jima Memorial. The Honor Flight director asked if any of the men were in Iwo Jima.

Three of the men were, with one saying he was there the day after the flag raising

"It was honorable to be with these guys at this place, very rewarding," Schiltz said.

Their next stop was the one of the newest memorials, the Air Force Memorial. That memorial includes three columns resembling jet exhaust, with one set to point at the Pentagon where the jet crashed on 9/11.

Their next stop was at the World War II Memorial.

"Cong. Steve King was there to greet us. He shook everyone's hand, had time for pictures, and thanked the veterans for all they had done during their military service," Schiltz said.

Some of the veterans talked about their experiences while others were quiet, Schiltz said. His two veterans were a good example.

"One of them really opened up, talked and shared stories, some humorous, some graphic," he said "The other gentleman enjoyed the day. He was excited to be there, but wouldn't open up."

Schiltz recalled a moment at the WWII Memorial that still gives him chills.

"About six of us were standing there when a young couple, probably in their late 20s, came up to us," said Schiltz. "They approached one of my guys and said, 'You're a World War II veteran aren't you?'"

The man answered yes.

"Then young man said, 'I just want to thank you for giving me my freedom. I really appreciate that. I want to thank you for all you did to make our country the way it is today,'" Schiltz related.

After shaking the veteran's hand and saying another thank you, the couple left.

"That happened to the gentleman who was kind of quiet. He told them 'You're welcome,'" Schiltz continued. "After he said that he kind of got choked up and said, 'You know, nobody's ever said that to me before.'"

Schiltz added, "That was kind of a touching time."

The group spent nearly two hours at the memorial.

The group then traveled to Arlington National Cemetery for the changing of the guard. From there they went to the FDR Memorial, and ended up in the area of the Lincoln Memorial, Korean Memorial and Vietnam Memorial.

"It was early evening by then, and it was an eerie feeling to walk by the Korean Memorial with the life-size statues in full fighting armor," Schiltz said.

The group's welcome back at the Sioux City Airport included a band playing 40s music, family and friends waving flags, military personnel and the American Legion Riders.

Siouxland veterans were dressed in blue polo shirts and jackets to identify the group, with nametag ribbons identifying their branch of service.

Those colors united the men on the trip, enabling them to talk about war experiences.

"Everybody in the blue jackets was a World War II veteran, all in the same boat," said Schiltz. "I think it helped them to think maybe it's okay to talk about it.

"If you happened to be in the right place at the right time, you heard some interesting things that day," he added.

Schiltz heard the story of one man who survived two days in a potato field in Germany, after being separated from his unit. Another talked about being in a concentration camp, getting little food, and convincing German children to throw them rats and mice over the fence. Some Navy men talked about being on deck, watching through binoculars for anything that might be coming in to attack. They even shot at waves, wary of any noise.

"Yeah, you hear stories," Schiltz said.

He also heard veterans tell stories of how young some of their comrades were, boys only 16, 17, 18 years old, who lied about their age to join the military.

"Several people commented that kids today can read the book and how the U.S. won the war, but they don't know what it took to win the war, the self-sacrifice of the service men and women, the food stamps, gas and food rationing," Schiltz said.

That's why Schiltz urges family members to talk with their veterans and ask questions.

As a guardian, Schiltz was kept busy the entire day. The guardians were told that they, as the younger people, would be working all day.

The veterans kept up.

"It seemed like as the day wore on the older guys just got more energy and wanted to see more and more. They knew it was about them," Schiltz said of the day.

Would he do it again?

"Oh yes, in a heartbeat," said Schiltz.

The experience of being surrounded by the veterans is an event in his life Schiltz said he'll never forget.

"I'll have stories to tell my grandkids," Schiltz said.

He'll also keep the tradition alive with the Sons of the American Legion.

"I see these guys on a daily basis, work side by side with them at various functions," Schiltz said of military veterans. "It's something I'm proud to do."

Schiltz said the Sons of the American Legion is way for young men to honor their fathers and grandfathers. Those interested may contact him at 546-4473.

Plymouth County veterans on the trip included: Cliff Peters of Le Mars; Harley Heimstra of Kingsley; Donald Brundeen, Earl Oetken, Gilbert Pracht and Joseph Wych of Akron and Theodore Hayden of Westfield.

The October Honor Flight may be the last out of Sioux City, according to organizer Cathy Mueller.

"I think the ones who have gone are the ones who really wanted to go," Mueller said of participants on the three flights. "We have very few on the national list in this area."

In the last 18 months, Mueller said Siouxland Honor Flight raised close to $300,000 just in the Siouxland area to provide the trip to area veterans.

"I'm pretty proud of that," Mueller said.