SOUTH BEND — Earlier this decade, Lt. Col. Roy Wirtz of the Army Reserve served his country in Bosnia.

These days, he is counter-terrorism officer here in the Midwest.

Tuesday, Wirtz spent his Veterans Day visiting his children’s classrooms in the South Bend Community School Corp.

"I’ve been doing it for about 10 years," Wirtz said after speaking to third-graders at Swanson Primary Center, where his youngest daughter goes to school. "I just feel it’s important for kids to know where we’ve come from and what people in our country have sacrificed."

Wirtz told the 100 or so students about his rank, about some of his past experiences and about how he had to get a master’s degree to become a commander.

The students had plenty of questions of their own.

Does your boss ask you to do 200 push ups?

"No, because he knows I’d laugh at him."

How many countries have you been to?

"Five."

What kind of snacks to you pack?

"Skittles, M&Ms, honey roasted peanuts and beef jerky."

How do you carry everything?

"All our equipment weighs about 100 pounds. We just have to try and stay in shape and practice carrying it."

One little girl asked Wirtz if it was hard to be a soldier.

He told her it can be. It can be physically hard, mentally hard and emotionally hard.

Wirtz also visited a class at LaSalle Intermediate Academy, where his son attends classes and Adams High School, where his oldest daughter is a freshman.

"High school students generally ask more political questions," Wirtz said. "That’s good. That means they’re thinking about things and the future, which is good."

Back at Swanson, one student just wanted to know what it was like to be a veteran.

Wirtz, who was dressed impressively in his camouflage Army combat uniform, has 21 years of service under his belt.

"That’s a really good question," Wirtz said. "I feel very appreciated by people."

Staff writer Michael Wanbaugh:
mwanbaugh@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6176