Our local news did an article about Dusty. I gotta get a copy to Tony so he can show it to Babe, Dusty makes mention of him
Here ya go
Long wait to re-enlist ends for local soldier
While watching his brother Taylor prepare for assignment in Iraq, Dustin Schmit had to wait.
Due to an injury and some bureaucatic red tape, Dustin waited for months before he was allowed to re-enlist in the Army. Dustin is glad to have another chance, reports his Mom Cindy Schmit, who wrote a letter to President Bush on Dustin’s behalf.
“I write in reference to my son, Dustin,†she wrote. “In order to outline all I need to discuss with you, I must go back in time to Sept. 11, 2001. As you know, on this day our country suffered a tragedy beyond comprehension. On Sept. 13, eager to serve his country, my son Dustin enlisted in the United States Army, specifying the Special Forces. Because he had knee surgeries on both knees he had to get a waiver in order to enlist in the Army.
“Waiver in hand, he was accepted for enlistment in the Army and entered basic training at Fort Benning, Ga. on Nov. 1, 2001. He suffered an injury and was discharged,†the maternal Schmidt wrote.
Dustin spent the last three years trying to re-enlist.
“I have taught my children to live and to believe their highest purpose is to serve and protect their country. There is no need to make further appeal to our patriotism,†Schmit’s letter said.
“He’s pretty excited. He’ll be going to Fort Campbell, the same place Taylor is based at. He’ll be in the 101st Airborne,†said Cindy Schmit of Dustin.
“I can’t imagine any harder test of a persons strength than what my parents are getting ready to do. I remember more than two years ago when I first left, and the look on my mother’s face. Please know, like Babe Heffron, a veteran from “The Band of Brothers†said the real heroes are the mothers who send their sons off to fight,†Dustin Schmit said.