Monday, February 10, 2025
33.6 F
Roseville

Family and Friends Helped Wounded Warrior

The story and message of Retired Army Sgt. First Class Michael Schlitz, of Fortson, Georgia, is far too important. So you will read about Schlitz again next week.

On February 27, 2007, Schlitz was helping clear a road of roadside bombs in southwestern Baghdad with other members of the 4-31 Infantry, Second Brigade, 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, New York. Their clearing the road was necessary for other forces to do their missions.

Said 38-year-old Schlitz in a telephone interview, “When the (roadside) bomb went off, I remember hearing the boom, being thrown from my vehicle, hitting the ground, and stopping rolling. My first instinct was to run back to the vehicle to check (on my men). As I got closer I realized I was on fire myself and could feel the flames on my face. Instinct took over. I rolled but the intense heat locked up my body. I just laid face down on the ground burning alive. People always say thoughts come over you at that moment. The only thing I could think of was of dying to death in Iraq.”

He continued, “I could hear my guys yelling for me. As they sprayed me with a fire extinguisher, two things came over me: the physical relief of the fire extinguishers relieving the extreme heat and the mental relief of not dying on the ground in Iraq.” Schlitz was the sole survivor of his vehicle carrying four. Perishing were his driver, Cpl. Lorne Henry Jr., gunner, Sgt. Richard Soukenka, and medic, Sgt. Jonathan Cadavero.

He said, “I had third degree burns over 85 percent of my body, the loss of both hands, loss of vision in the left eye, and pretty much limited range of motion. Just a couple weeks ago I had my eighty-fifth surgery. Not that you should compare your injuries to others, but I feel lucky given mine are physical and I can adapt. I’m lucky I don’t have traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. Those guys can’t find new ways to do things. In the big scheme, I’m lucky because my injuries are physical.”

What got Schlitz emotionally through his ordeal was having a family that visited and a “huge” social network of military “brothers.” Schlitz said soldiers with newly acquired disabilities sometimes don’t have family or close friends visiting, and thus have a more difficult recovery.



Brighter Side

Trending

Job Opening: Sr. Manager, Data Management

5 yrs exp. design, modify, dvlp., write & implement software programming apps & code software. BS deg req’d.

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

Topics

Job Opening: Sr. Manager, Data Management

5 yrs exp. design, modify, dvlp., write & implement software programming apps & code software. BS deg req’d.

LA-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor in Roseville

Transform your living room and bedroom with La-Z-Boy's comfortable home furniture. Shop for sofas, couches, recliners, chairs, tables, mattress in a box, and more today.

Roseville Pleasant Grove Creek Trail closure for critical repairs

Roseville, Calif. - The trail crossing over Pleasant Grove Creek is closed for critical repairs between Old Coach Drive/Phillips Park and the Orchard View Road trailhead parking lot.

RG Philips Park in Roseville

RG Philips Park "This 6.5 acre park features a children’s...

Roseville welcomes US Quadball West Coast National Qualifier to Maidu Park

Roseville, Calif. - Quadball, an action-packed sport that evolved from the Harry Potter novels, will hold its only West Coast national qualifier Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9 at Maidu Regional Park in Roseville.

The Crepe Stop in Roseville

The Crepe Stop in Roseville. Savory & Sweet. Crepes, Pancakes, Waffles, Gelato, Boba Tea.

Roseville Today Super Bowl party picks for Eagles and Chiefs game

Roseville, Calif.- This Sunday at the Superdome in New Orleans, the Philadelphia take on the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. A super-sized rematch and unofficial national holiday of $8 million dollar commercials, food and drink and a little football.

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin

Quarry Oaks Apartments in Rocklin, Calif.

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Stanford Ranch Family Dentistry in Rocklin serving the local community since 2000

Rocklin, Calif.- For nearly 24 years, Jason and Heather have grown their successful Stanford Ranch Family Dentistry practice by faithfully serving patients throughout the Rocklin, Roseville, and greater South Placer County region. Their business has grown to now employ over a dozen employees which helps them meet the growing demands of a successful local business.

California Recovery Center in Roseville offers treatment for substance abuse and mental health

California Recovery Center (CRC) is a treatment provider for adults with substance abuse and mental health condition, located in Roseville and serving the greater Sacramento region.

California Fence and Patio serving Placer County for over 30 years

Loomis, Calif. - California Fence & Patio is proud of their reputation as the premier fencing and patio cover contractor in the Roseville,, Sacramento and Placer County region.