Veterans honored by TMS student council

The Thermopolis Middle School Student Council honored those who served in the military for Veterans Day at the Bill Malloy Auditorium on November 11. Three veterans were given quilts of valor recognizing their service and sacrifices. They were Regina Schulmeister, Jim Schwalbe and Jackie Frankson. 

The local quilters are Renee Baldes, Terry Anderson, Susan Turnbull, and Tracey Van Huele.

Additionally, other veterans were recognized in a short video series presentation. They were Tyler Cornwell, Babie and Will Robinson, Clay VanAntwerp, and Corporal Kyle Pebbles.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national organization founded in 2003 by "Blue Star" mom Catharine Roberts. With a son deployed in Iraq - a "Gunner" - sitting atop a Humvee - she felt "ten seconds away from panic" twenty-four hours a day. One night, she dreamed of a post-deployment warrior struggling with his war demons at two o'clock in the morning. She saw him sitting on the side of his bed, wrapped in a quilt. The quilt comforted him and fended off the "war demons" that troubled him. From this vision, the Quilts of Valor Foundation began.

This foundation represents one human being reaching out and touching another. The foundation reaches out with acceptance and acknowledgment of service to our nation. The Quilts of Valor Foundation will go wherever some have been touched by war.

One of the students presenting said, "The quilts bring you a three-part message from their hearts: First, we honor you for your service. We honor you for leaving all you hold dear to serve, whether in times of crisis or in times of peace. Next, our quilters know that freedom is not free. The cost of our freedom is the dedication of the lives of men and women like you, and this quilt is meant to say thank you for your sacrifice. And finally, this quilt is meant to offer comfort to you, and to remind you that although your family and friends cannot be with you at all times, you are forever in our thoughts and hearts."

"Quilters believe that as they sew; love, care, and gratitude flows from their hearts, through their hands, into the quilts they make. All of them, as quilters, want you to know that through their quilts, you are forever in their hearts."

Regina Schulmeister was the first veteran recognized. She was originally from Argentina, she came to America in 1998 for more opportunities. In 2001, when 9/11 happened, Schulmeister knew she wanted to join the Navy after this country had given her the opportunities she never had. Schulmeister had learned discipline and order in the navy and was deployed four times. When Schulmeister lived in Argentina, she was a police officer, and even now she remains in the Police Department. Schulmeister encourages young people to join because it gives opportunities to go to college and university. It also allows you to follow the path that you choose. In 2018, Schulmeister was deployed to Lima, Peru. There, she had to coordinate the supply drop-offs to students. These kids would show up with no shoes and were so excited to get pencils. After Schulmeister had come back from Lima, that deployment made such a huge impact on her life, she realized that she wanted to pursue helping people in need, and never take anything for granted. She says, "We take things for granted more often than we realize, and we should cherish everything we have." This is why Regina continues to help everyone that is in need and still serves in the Navy Reserves to this day. Thank you for your service.

The second veteran recognized was Jim Schwalbe. Schwalbe joined the United States Marine Corps in 1962. Schwalbe was deployed to Vietnam in 1965 and served 4.5 years. Schwalbe was a Sergeant Crew Chief gunner on an H34 helicopter. Schwalbe was one of the soldiers that would extract the dead and wounded out of the battle zones. One of his most impactful stories was when the helicopter was shot down outside a small village. The helicopter flipped on its side and the blades went through the cockpit, killing both pilots. The impact threw Schwalbe out of the helicopter, but he was able to get the gunner and a sister craft came in and got them out. Schwalbe believes joining the military is an honor and depending on why you join, if you can not subject yourself to superiors and structure, then the military is probably not for you.

The third veteran recognized was Jackie Frankson. Frankson was in the United States Navy and served as a Medic Corpsman and was discharged after a 20-year service. She chose to join because she wanted to have a better life for her 3-year-old and herself. Frankson was deployed on 3 tours. She was on 2 medical cruises in the Mediterranean Sea. It was impactful to her by teaching her tough discipline, time management, and finally, she commented that the whole experience of the military and the service was very impactful in her life. The military had an incredible impact on her civilian life as well because she is a better leader, a better parent, and it gave her insight into how to make smart decisions. The advice Frankson would give those thinking of joining is to see what is out there first before you do anything else. 

Additionally, a video series presentation featured Tyler Cornwell, who is currently enlisted in the United States Air Force. Cornwell said, "It was the best decision ever made" to join the Air Force. Cornwell added that his education is completely paid for. Tyler is assigned to Turkey. 

Also, Babie and Will Robinson gave their thoughts. Both served in the Air Force, they both were in the dental part of the Air Force. And featured were Leif and Jacque Polson, who served in the Air Force. Jacque was a nurse in the Air Force and Leif was a dentist in the Air Force. 

The video continued and presented Clay VanAntwerp, who served on the Navy USS Aircraft carriers. Lastly, the video showed Corporal Kyle Pebbles of the United States Marine Corps. He was deployed twice; once to the Middle East for 8 months and Japan for 6 months.

The Student Council concluded the event by saying, "Veterans Day is a holiday that honors all who have served in the United States Military. Even though Veterans Day happens once a year, we should recognize Veterans' service and their continual sacrifices. To those who have served and are serving to keep this country a safe place. We Thank You."