Stories of War: Some gave all, all gave some

For the men and women that have served our country, each one served a unique purpose.

No matter the task, no matter the time served, each one fought to keep this country free.

Some gave all, all gave some, for one army veteran, this saying is one that resonates with him to this day.

At the age of 21, Walt Schumacher served 10 years in the United States Army.

From Germany to Massachusetts, Vietnam to California, Walt was responsible for testing weapons and working with military intelligence.

“I volunteered for the draft in November 1966 and went in the military in January 1967,” said Schumacher.

Walt, like many others, have a family history of military service, specifically, his father’s time serving in World War II.

He said it was a big reason he felt compelled to serve.

“He told me over and over again he says the world is not becoming a safer place it’s becoming a worse place,” said Schumacher.

Despite Walt’s many memories of war, he remembers something his dad would say to him.

“With that, he said you know, serve your country do what you can for your country,” said Schumacher.

Over time, there have been many battles fought, each one different.

“For one thing, war has changed over time it really has. It was a little difficult for me to imagine what Vietnam was like before I went”

After all the things he has been through, Walt does not regret the sacrifices he made. I n fact, he remains passionate about serving his country to this day.

“Having a combined 45 years of military and federal service which is a lot more than most have, I still look to still serve where I can,” said Schumacher.

For stories like Walt’s, it is important to pass them down to younger generations.

“It is critical that the older generations just as yourself, your father, your grandfather, and maybe even great grandfather, provides information about the way things were,” said Schumacher.

For Walt’s wife, his time of service was brought to life by the stories he has shared.

“He shared all the stories about when he was wounded in Vietnam the helicopter crash, almost being a POW,” she said.

Though his time serving was years ago, the memories remain.

“Something I will never forget from the military, I would say wearing the uniform it might not sound like something that another person might say but I think wearing the uniform is critical,” said Schumacher.

Even for Jan, whose father served in WWI, family helped bridge the gap of struggling to talk about the war.

“The thing that helped was that my father was in World War II and did not speak of it at all. That was just something that we didn’t talk about and when I married Walt, he started to open up to Walt I think because he was a fellow soldier,” Jan said.

To young 21-year-old Walt, advice from future you.

“I would say keep on serving number one, do better than what you did, be conscious of the things that are going on around you, try and look to the future as to what might happen, and be aware, just be aware,” said Schumacher.

For those who are not currently serving in the military, Walt encourages you to reach out to legion units around Yuma.

He urges people to reach out to veterans in order to get to know the stories of those who served.

After all, it doesn’t cost anything to be a friend.