Veterans Day 11/11/15

Veterans Day

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

That comes from John 15:13

Happy Veteran's Day. 

Colonel Max B. Scheider (Papa to us) is the handsome gentleman in the center of this picture (the middle of the 3 men). He was an upper classman at West Point in this picture, which was featured in the May 1952 issue of National Geographic. He graduated West Point in June 1951. 

He didn't know at the time of this picture that he would serve in Korea, Vietnam, Norway, Germany, and many other places. He didn't know that while serving, he would be exposed to Agent Orange which would cause him to develop Parkinson's disease; he also didn't know that this disease would cause his death. He didn't give thought to those things as he served, as he gave his life over in service to our nation. Neither did his children, as they followed in his footsteps, also joining (and retiring from) the Army. My Uncle Bob also attended West Point. 

A great tribute to my Papa was written long before his death, in his West Point yearbook, "His West Point classmates recall: "In the Company we call him 'Good Old Max,' which is a tribute in itself, for few words, no matter the size, can express the depth and sincerity of these. He is well-mannered and quiet, but his amiable personality is a necessity to any crowd. The day's work here defeats the lesser man, but Max-he was in the gym! Our days here have now run out, but the memory of Max will always be with us." 

I asked him once what that meant, 'he was in the gym'. Papa said it was meant that he was putting in the work, determined, and disciplined. It was also written in there that "Max kept reaching for those stars", not only meaning ambition, but also the stars that one acquired on their uniform. In a glossary of West Point terms, a Star Man is "an academically-distinguished cadet/candidate". If that didn't tell all about Papa, I don't know what did. (The same glossary says this about the word max: "maximum; a complete success, as to make a perfect mark in academic recitation, or to do something perfectly" - totally fits, hehe) He read a book at a young age about West Point, and determined in his heart that that's where he was going, and that was what he did. He didn't do it for the recognition, or the glory of himself. In his last years, he didn't ask for special treatment, although he received it from his family, caregivers, friends. He kept an excellent attitude, even as his body failed. He had made his mind up that he would continue on with dignity.

My mom also gave 20 years of her life in service to the United States Army.  My step-dad also served the U.S. Public Health Services.

Major Marcy, US ARMY (and daughters)

Captain Jeffry, USPHS

So in short, 'thank you' doesn't seem to say all that is in my heart for the service of our military forces. 'Happy Veterans Day' just doesn't quite say all that there is to show my gratitude for our past, present, and future veterans, their families, their loved ones... But I hope it can suffice.

Happy Veterans Day