Sometimes we become concerned about the future of our country. Do our young people realize how precious our freedoms are; do they think about our veterans and their sacrifices?
I recently spent some time with a young boy who alleviated my concerns and made me realize patriotism is not lost on our youth.
Jake Jenkins is only 10 years old. He has a keen interest in World War II. He has visited several war ships, including the USS Yorktown and the USS Clamagore at Patriots Point in South Carolina; the USS North Carolina in Wilmington, North Carolina, the USS Midway (commissioned a week after the end of World War II) in San Diego, California; and the USS Missouri and USS Bowfin at Pearl Harbor. He also visited the USS Cobia Submarine in Manitowoc.
Jake toured the Pacific Aviation Museum (Pearl Harbor) and the EAA Airventure Museum in Oshkosh. His grandmother, Judy Judd, told me Jake took a picture of every World War II plane at the Oshkosh air museum last year. Jake and his younger brother, Adrian, are excited to visit again this year.
Knowing how interested Jake is in World War II, a meeting was arranged so he could visit with one of Shawano’s own World War II veterans, Reuben Schaetzel. I cannot describe Jake’s look of awe when the two met.
Reuben went overseas as a military policeman. He was injured in a motorcycle accident and separated from his company. He was later assigned to be a tank driver. Jake asked him if it was a M4A1 Sherman tank and Reuben acknowledged it was. Jake commented, “After seeing the M4A1 tank at Memorial Park, it is amazing to meet someone who drove a tank just like that.”
Reuben commented, “I was a farm boy, and I had some experience driving a bulldozer. I guess they thought that qualified me.” he joked.
He continued, “My brother and I went into the Army a month apart. We both worked for the same company. We could have had a deferment, but neither of us wanted one. We had a job to do and I never thought twice about doing it. I lost many comrades during the war. I am grateful my life was spared.”
Schaetzel recently returned from a reunion in the Czech Republic. General Patton’s grandson presented him with a medal for having served with his grandfather. Schaetzel’s daughters accompanied him to the reunion. It was quite an honor for Reuben and the other 13 American World War II veterans who were invited guests.
Schaetzel met General Patton during the war. Schaetzel’s tank was hit by a German bazooka. Three of the soldiers in the tank were killed. The platoon leader told Schaetzel to stay there with the tank and fallen comrades.
Schaetzel commented, “I was sitting on the back deck of the tank, thinking about my comrades and not feeling very well myself. I saw a jeep drive up with four stars, signifying it was a general. It is proper protocol for a soldier to stand up and salute a senior officer. I remained slumped down and General Patton hunkered down along side me.”
General Patton asked, “What happened here soldier?”
Schaetzel replied, “Go take a look for yourself.”
Patton saw the lifeless soldiers, returned and said, “We need to get those (bleeping) Nazis.”
He hunkered down beside Schaetzel again, put his arm around him and said, “Take care of yourself, soldier.” Then he drove off.
Jake’s mother, Betsy Jenkins, commented, “Jake checked out every single book in his school library pertaining to World War II, some multiple times.” Imagine the look of delight on Jake’s face as Schaetzel autographed a copy of “Frontlines World War II” and gave it to him. John Maino wrote the book and Schaetzel is featured in it.
Jake commented, “I am so thankful for Mr. Schaetzel and those like him for their sacrifices which allow us to have the freedoms we have today. He is the most heroic person I ever met.”
The answer to last week’s question — What was the name of the woman’s fine apparel clothing store located at 154 S. Main St. in 2001 and who was the owner? — is Courture LTD owned by Cynthia VanBelkom.
This week’s question is: Can you name the four drugstores in Shawano in 1959?
