Memorial Day – Remember Fallen Heroes Like Colleyville’s Chris Schulz

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

Memorial Day has a very special heartfelt meaning for the Schulz Family of Colleyville.  Chris Schulz died in Iraq July 2003 shortly before his 21st birthday and his planned release to come home.    The following was an LocalNewsOnly.com featured on Chris by LNO Reporter Linda Baker October 24, 2004.  Chris is honored in Colleyville’s Heroes Park.

October 24, 2004
A Colleyville hometown hero..Chris Schulz
my perspective by Linda Baker

It has been fifteen months since the devastating loss of Colleyville’s hometown hero, U.S. Army Spc. Christian Schulz, on the foreign sands of Ba’qubah, Iraq.

But the grief will always remain.

Occasionally, I would see his parents, Bob and Emmy Schulz, in the store, often bringing lunch from home to Chris. He was always so proud of his Mom and Dad, and beamed when he introduced them.

Through the years, Chris would share glimpses into his teenage life; how his Dad was helping him with a plan for a car, or later when his parents were working with him on SAT exam drills. He had an older brother’s joy when he talked about his little sister, Becky, and it was clear he loved her dearly.

Christian Schulz was that kind of kid.

But it was Christian C. Schulz, the man, who enlisted for duty in May of 2001, expressly for tank duty on the front lines.  The idealism and sense of duty that were the core of his character motivated him into the physical need to act immediately to protect his country from any imminent threats from foreign lands. Chris had graduated at 17 from Colleyville Heritage High School, Class of 2000, and went on to UTA for the duration of the following year. But when he turned 18, he could hold back no longer from the calling that burned in his heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He kept his enlistment a secret from his parents as long as he could.

Finally, the day came when Chris led his mother out on the back patio of their home and gave her the news. Emmy Schulz said she began crying, but it was only for herself, facing the rite of passage of their son to manhood, “I told Chris he had a very brave soul, and I knew he must follow his heart. I was proud of him.”

As a youngster, Chris had been inspired by the bravery of his grandfather, Frank Schulz, who was stationed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when Hawaii was attacked by the Japanese, and who survived to go into combat in the Pacific. Later, Frank Schulz, as a reservist, was recalled to battle in Korea. Another close relative Chris admired was his uncle, John Schulz, his father’s older brother, who served in Viet Nam.

Chris reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for Basic Training, and was subsequently sent to Fort Hood, Texas, where he had once spent a cherished camping trip with the soldiers, in his youthful Boy Scout days. He became part of the 3rd Battalion, 367th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. Spc. Christian Schulz was deployed to Iraq on April 9, 2003, and was part of a tank crew

 In his letter home to his folks in June, Chris wrote of being part of a recent dismount mission, searching forty houses and finding 100 weapons, 80 grenades, 12 cases of ammo, magazines, and multiple RPGs. Untold loss of life to other soldiers would have been a certainty without the brave actions of Spc. Christian Schulz and his fellows

 

Emmy Schulz recalled another memory from their son’s Boy Scouts days; when summer camp was held in Richardson, and this particular year, Chris was named Platoon Leader. There was a ceremony scheduled in the evening, and Bob and Emmy were a little late coming in. Chris spotted his mother from the front of the room, and joyfully came running up, leaping on her, accidentally knocking her, laughing, to the ground.

Every single day since Chris had left for Iraq in April, Emmy had planned out in her mind, how upon his return, she was going to be there at DFW Airport when he got off the plane. She planned to run up and playfully leap on her son to duplicate his stunt, as part of his welcome home.

According to the dry Department of Defense news release of July 12, 2003:

“ONE DEAD, ONE WOUNDED IN NON-HOSTILE FIRE INCIDENT

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Two 4th Infantry Division soldiers were wounded and one subsequently died from a non-hostile gunshot incident. Both soldiers were evacuated to the 21st Combat Support Hospital for treatment. The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The incident is currently under investigation.”

It was Colleyville’s precious Christian Schulz who died July 11, 2003, in an arid desert, thirty miles north of Baghdad, on the other side of the world. Days away from his 21st birthday, a few weeks from seeing his beloved family and friends again.

Spc. Christian C. Schulz was brought back home, and on July 26, 2003, his Mass was conducted at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Tinker Road and Pleasant Run. Anguished family, friends, military personnel, neighbors were in attendance and a multitude of his former classmates from CHHS. No one ever thought that someone as promising, as sincere, as just plain decent as Chris was, would ever be mortally endangered. He represented the best of what we all hope our kids will be as they grow up. And we took for granted Chris would live a long and rewarding life.

It hard to write about his life and death, but we will not look away in our grief, from the courage Chris exhibited. He was one of our own. The “non-hostile fire” was not at the hands of Spc. Schulz, who was known for lifelong meticulousness in the performance of duty. But in respect for his fellow soldiers, Chris’ family has requested no more be written about the incident. The nobility of Christian Schulz’s determination to volunteer for the most dangerous job in the most barren and inhospitable section of the world, to protect all of us at home, is no less humbling.

Bob and Emmy Schulz have received some comfort from his buddies in Christian’s 4th Infantry unit, in the stories brought back of his life in Iraq; stories they would not otherwise have heard. His Commanding Officer told them about a time the unit was guarding an enemy compound, when the decision was made to dig a 6′ trench to try to keep cool in the 125 degree heat. Spc. Schulz took the shovel out of the C.O.’s hands, and said, “Sir, you don’t need to be doing the digging. That’s my job.” Chris got busy and proceeded to not only dig a huge square, but he carved out steps, chairs, couches, and a make-believe TV set in the hole, as a reminder of home, to the astonishment of the C.O. and the rest of the hot, tired unit.

When Emmy would send care packages to Chris, she would send them in multiples-at least three and as many as ten boxes-because she knew Chris would give up his own, if any of the other soldiers did not have one. When Chris went out on patrol, he would load every pocket to throw out some of the extras she would pack in the care package for gifts for Iraqi children and women. Emmy said she has been repeatedly told by Chris’ soldier buddies, many of whom have been returned home, how loved he was within in his unit.

Christian Schulz would be equally proud of his parents, and especially his mother.

Emmy said, “Prior to his death, Chris taught me that most people go through life blind; not knowing what their purpose is, and spend their lives trying to figure it out.”
“After his death, he instilled in me the principles to reach out and help-not to just a few but to all in society.”

She has continued to prepare, box, and send care packages to the 4th Infantry, 367th Charlie Company, because, “it is so important that the soldiers still feel the love coming from the other side of the ocean.” As Chris had asked prior to his death, Emmy also sends school books and toys for Iraqi children, and other small items for their mothers.

In September 2003, Emmy was stricken by illness and did not make a full recovery until three months later in November. She meanwhile had accumulated 250 care package boxes in her living room. She called the Captain of the Casualty Assistance Office for some help, who in turn, was nothing short of amazed. He made sure those packages were expedited immediately to Fort Hood.

On April 12, 2004, Governor Rick Perry signed an Honorary Yellow Rose of Texas award from the State of Texas to Emmy Schulz for her volunteerism and “many unselfish acts of kindness.”

House Resolution HR 93, sponsored by Rep. Vicki Truitt, passed unanimously in the 78th Texas Legislature, on July 18, 2003, honoring Chris, a Bronze Star recipient, stating in part, “WHEREAS, Unflinching bravery and a resolute commitment to fulfill his oath to serve, regardless of the personal consequences, were demonstrated by this valorous American, who gave his life to preserve liberty; the State of Texas and the nation now mourn the loss of Christian Schulz: a soldier for a brief period, a hero forever…”

The City of Colleyville has yet to acknowledge the life and sacrifice of Spc. Christian Schulz, who is entombed in the mausoleum at Bluebonnet Hills cemetery, in the very center of town.

My own son, who was a child back in the early days when Chris worked as a bagger at the grocery, would quietly listen to our little catch-up conversations as Chris loaded the sacks into the trunk of our car. It was no coincidence the first job Rory applied for and got was at the same Kroger. People who knew Chris then and work there still, all have the same shared sorrow. He touched so many people. There passes not a single day when we do not think about Christian Schulz, and miss the life unlived.

No one who has not suffered the loss of their child can ever feel the same unbearable grief that Bob and Emmy Schulz have borne in losing Chris. But the rest of us who knew him will not ever, ever forget the boy and man that was our Christian Schulz.