Military dad teaches students unique Veterans Day lesson

By MICHAEL WANBAUGH, Tribune Staff Writer

Tools

Lt. Colonel Roy Wirtz talks to his daughter's third grade class at Swanson Primary Center about the importance of Veterans Day

Lt. Colonel Roy Wirtz talks to his daughter's third grade class at Swanson Primary Center about the importance of Veterans Day, on November 11, 2008. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Nov 11, 2008 at 4:42 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 14, 2008 at 12:00 AM EST

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

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

icon
Current Temp 46.4
°
More Weather

On Demand

More On Demand

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Tonight On WSBTFull Schedule

7.00
60 Minutes
8.00
The Amazing Race 15
9.00
Three Rivers
10.00
Cold Case
11.00
WSBT News
11.30
Paid Programming

Question of The Day

Will the new health recommendations for women change your health screening habits?

E-mail your comments. We'll pick some to read during WSBT News at 5.

  • YES
  • NO
Today's Mortgage Rates