ForeverMissed
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His Life

An American Hero

April 7, 2019

Joshua Andrew Schmit~ AKA Umpa AKA Angry Dwarf~. Josh was well loved by all who knew him   He was a Son, a Brother, a Grandson, a Husband, an Uncle/God Father, a US Army Soldier, a Friend and much more.    Joshua persevered and conquered any obstacle  that held him back. From being short stature from birth until his death he saw his handicap as a challenge.  If you told him he couldn't, he would always prove you wrong! He found his passion playing B-Bantam traveling Hockey, he made the attempt at wrestling and baseball, made the Varsity Cardinal Football team as a senior in high school. He loved to pheasant and deer hunt with family and friends. Golf was also a great pastime of his. Josh dedicated himself to become physically fit in order to qualify as a new recruit into the National Guard. Basic training defined him into a very proud and reliable Soldier. He loved every bit of his training while stationed at Hoehenfehls, Germany after deciding he wanted more!  He was becoming a fully fit fighting machine as a US Army Sergent. During his four year tour of training in Germany he met and fell in love HARD with the woman he eventually married in Bov, Denmark on September 26th 2005. Unfortunately, Josh was recalled from his Inactive Ready Reserve status by President George Bush to report for deployment duties in the country of Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom.   Although he was clearly upset to have the near end of his six year military career end with a year long tour of duty in a war zone far from home and from his loved ones.  We all were so very frightened for him! We were able to spend several visits from him while he trained at his duty station in Indiana.  He adored his sisters baby girl.  He just couldn't wait to become a father some day.  He promised us all that he WILL return home! Back to his wife and to their future plans together.  

Then our world shattered into a million pieces when we were officially notified of his and his Gunner brother, Sgt. Brandon Wallace's death by I.E.D. in the early morning hours on April 14th, 2007...their very last mission before leaving that country for good.   Joshua's father was also preparing for his own deployment to Iraq within the two weeks before Josh was due to come HOME. Our Govenor Pawlenty pulled Greg off his deployment to stay back for family support. Greg despritly wanted/needed to carry out his deployment, but instead he flew to Dover Air Base to be our son's Military Escort home.   Joshua Andrew became an American Hero. He died for country. He shed blood in a country for which will NEVER become free!!!   He was given a full military funeral with all Honor and Respect.   I shall always remember sitting ON center ice in the community center hockey arena for our son's overwhelmingly attended funeral.  I never thought in a million years as I sat in a fan seat while watching my son skate his heart out during B-Bantam hockey tournaments that I would be attending his funeral at this very same community center.   I wished I could say that nearing his twelfth Angelversary in Heaven that we all were doing ok.   Unfortunately, even though he tried hard to fight his way through his darkness, his illness, his guilt over the loss of Joshua, Greg took his own life on July 21st, 2015..     May God Rest their souls and love them fiercely until our time comes when we can all be a family again.

Thank a Serviceman or woman and 

LIVE*LAUGH*LOVE your life for the ones who can not.  Make many memories and NEVER take your family and friends for granted!!


Peace and Love,

Joshua's mother and Gregory's wife Kimberly

Sister, Jessica

Niece/Goddaughter, Amelia

Wife, Andrea