T E G Page 2 VVVTHE GAZETTE, EMPORIA, KANSAS VVV Tuesday, November 10, 2020 Tuesday, November 10, 2020 VVVTHE GAZETTE, EMPORIA, KANSAS VVV Page 3 A FAMILY'S LEGACY: SCHMITZ FAMILY CELEBRATES THREE GENERATIONS OF VETERANS By AdAm BlAke something that definitely runs in [email protected] the family,” Schmitz said, mention- ing other Army veterans in his fam- While Veteran’s Day can be a ily including his father-in-law Rich- solemn time of remembrance even ard Hladek and brother-in-law, Char- for those without a deep personal lie Nussbaum. “It’s something that’s connection to the armed forces, for a part of our history. We were all so Reading-area resident Lawrence blessed that [Norbert] was with us Schmitz, the holiday marks a cel- for 92, going on 93 years, and I be - ebration and appreciation of family lieve he’s still with us in that way.” legacy. Schmitz remembers being in- Serving from 1975-79 in the U.S. spired by his father’s service to the Navy, Schmitz was followed in ser- country, but was never directly en- vice by his son, Brannon, who en- couraged to join the armed forces listed in the U.S. Air Force from while growing up. In fact, he can 2013-2018 and now continues work still remember the look of apprehen- on matters of national security in sion on his parents’ faces when he Fayetteville, North Carolina. told them he was considering enlist- Both men’s military careers were ing. preceded by that of Schmitz’s father, “[Norbert] was actually rather re- Norbert, who passed away this Oc- luctant about all of it, and I can see tober after having been deployed to why now with it coming near the end of the Vietnam War,” Schmitz Tokyo, Japan for special service dur- COURTESY PHOTO ing the Korean War from 1951-1953. Military veterans (from left), Brannon Schmitz (Air Force), Norbert Schmitz “I guess you could say service is Please see Schmitz, Page 4 (Army) and Lawrence “Larry” Schmitz (Navy). Page 4 VVVTHE GAZETTE, EMPORIA, KANSAS VVV Tuesday, November 10, 2020 him. It really was a selfless thing.” SCHMITZ In addition to living on through PARADE HONORS 101-YEAR-OLD all the stories and memories he ac- PAGE 3 From cumulated with his loved ones over the years — not to mention in the BLACK WWII VETERAN ROMAY DAVIS said. “I was really encouraged the valuable chapters of life his son and most by one of the upperclassmen grandson have been able to experi- at my high school who talked to me ence in part to his inspiration and The Associated Press about all the job opportunities in age of soldiers in the postal unit had led to encouragement — the spirit of Nor- six-month a backlog of millions of pieces the Navy and stuff like that, but be - bert Schmitz can now be found in MONTGOMERY, ALA. — The boat of mail. Once in Europe, she and the other ing young at the time, I kind of also one his family’s most cherished per- crested a wave that seemed a mile high Black women in her unit processed an av- saw it as a way to travel the world. sonal possessions: a hand-painted and then started to plunge. Romay Davis erage of 195,000 pieces of mail each day That’s really the thing I was most portrait of him in uniform. And al- looked over the edge as the bow dropped. and cleared that backlog in three months. excited about until I realized the though many of the circumstances The trough looked bottomless. Davis had Army Secretary Mark Esper issued a greater importance of everything… behind the creation of the painting never been on the ocean before, now she meritorious unit commendation for her I joined at the early age of 17 which have been lost to time, the lesson it was headed to France to serve in WWII as battalion. The document was presented meant that my parents had to sign carries remains a clear and unchang- part of an all-Black, all-female Army unit. to Davis after the parade and noted the on for me. They did, but there was ing one. Car trips made her sick, but here on the unit’s professionalism and dedication to obviously that hesitancy there. I ac- “Unfortunately, I’m not even sure ocean the nausea never hit. She clung to duty, and their impact on “the morale and tually turned 18 the day I left for ba- the ship and took it all in. “I was just enjoy- welfare” of servicemembers across Europe if I know the exact name of the per- ing it because I had never seen anything during WWII. She was also presented with sic training in San Diego.” son who painted it,” Schmitz said. Never expecting to go through like it,” Davis said. a personal commendation from Gov. Kay “I’m not entirely sure of the circum- On Nov. 4, a birthday parade made up Ivey, and Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed the same process as a father him- stances on when or why it was done self one day, Schmitz now views his of city and state officials, volunteers, neigh- — the city’s first Black mayor – proclaimed either, but I know it was done dur - bors and fellow veterans waved to Davis her birthday Romay Davis Day. son’s enlistment process as similar ing my dad’s time at General Head- as the 101-year-old Montgomery resident After the Army, Davis went on to a to his own. Like Norbert, Lawrence quarters in Tokyo … He and my mom watched, eyes wide over her mask. Still career as a fashion model and artist. She allowed Brannon to pursue a career gave it to me for one of my birthdays taking it all in. earned a black belt in taekwondo in her path on his own terms. back while they were both still alive, “I’ve appreciated everything – every 70s, and took a job organizing shelves “ I think it really became a matter so it helps me remember both of smile, every hand clap, every appearance,” at her local Winn-Dixie grocery store in of the friends and others we associ- them, in a way. It’s just something she said. “… It’s wonderful, really wonder- Montgomery when she was 81. She’s now ated with growing up rather than that I’m really glad to have now to ful. I don’t know how I’m going to sit still.” worked there 20 years. They convinced her some encouragement or some prod- be able to share it with all my nieces Davis’ birthday was last week, but Hur- to limit her work trips to one day a week ding that we needed to join the mili- and nephews and to help them learn ricane Zeta blew through Montgomery during the pandemic and arranged for her tary from our family,” Schmitz said. the importance and meaning behind that day and canceled her celebration. So, to work in the back of the store to keep her “When he was attending Wichita it. volunteers and veteran advocates orga- away from visitors and co-workers. State, Brannon got to know a bunch “I think if you look back at any nized Wednesday’s drive-by parade. Winn-Dixie’s parent company this year of other reservists that were work- of the people that have served in Dozens of residents lined up to join a created the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclu- ing at McConnell [Air Force Base] my family, you’ll find a lot of their procession led by Montgomery police and sion and Diversity Grant to help fund orga- down there. fire/rescue workers, American Red Cross nizations that support minorities. The first attitudes and careers can really be volunteers, and state and local veterans’ recipients were named on her birthday last “Since everything is volunteer summed up by that old JFK quote, groups. Members of the all-Black Buffalo week. nowadays, you’ll see a lot more peo - ‘Ask not what your country can do Soldiers Motorcycle Club rumbled into Davis has fought through scoliosis pain ple involved because they feel like for you, ask what you can do for place behind them. to stay busy but said she felt strong after one of the many career paths they your country.’ That message is so, “She’s seen things that we’ll never ever Wednesday’s parade. She refused a walker can join as a member of the mili- so important even — or especially, I think about seeing,” parade participant and stood on her own for a photo with vol- tary is what they were called to do. should say — today, and moving for- and Vietnam veteran David Payne said. unteers. That’s what appealed to Brannon ward in our country’s history. This Davis served in a battalion with a “I am better right now,” she said. “In my and that’s why we’re all so proud of painting helps remind us of that.” unique challenge during WWII. A short- heart, I’m better.” Tuesday, November 10, 2020 VVVTHE GAZETTE, EMPORIA, KANSAS VVV Page 5 VIRGINIA MAN RETURNS FRENCH PORTRAIT HE STOLE DURING WWII By StAcy PArker, keep the tragedy a secret because it would cameras. The Virginian-Pilot destroy morale back home, Waller said. Known as “Janie” when she grew up After the war ended, Waller described in Virginia Beach’s Bay Colony neighbor- what happened in the letter to his mother, hood, Garland is a TV producer and retired VIRGINIA BEACH, VA.