SAFD Firefighter and Marine Reservist Reflects on Service

The Grand Marshal of the Saline Memorial Day Parade reflected on service to country and community and reminded people to be thankful they live in America during a speech at Oakwood Cemetery Monday.

Kurt Schneider, a Saline Area Fire Department firefighter and Master Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, said it was an honor to be recognized in the community and to speak for those who can’t.

The Saline native, who attended Saline Area Schools from kindergarten until graduation in 1992, said his service in the U.S. Marine Corps took him all over the world.

“So far, I like it here best,” said Schneider, to cheers of the crowd who gathered at the cemetery following the parade.

Schneider’s service in the military instilled in him a sense of pride and patriotism.

“It’s the one that gives you goose bumps when you see a flag flying in the wind. It’s the one that makes you feel like you’ve lost a good friend, when you lose someone overseas that you don’t even know. It’s the one that gives you that indescribable feeling when you hear the national anthem sang,” said Schneider.

Memorial Day isn’t about the “beginning of summer” or a three-day weekend for Schneider. It’s about remembering the type of people he worked with to defend America.

“I know what it is like to stand in front of 120 Marines and know that they are looking back at you for direction. I know what it’s like defending a base and knowing you are the reason everyone is sleeping so sound. I know what it is like to stand in the perimeter of a U.S. embassy and know there is no way in hell that someone is getting through our line of defense,” Schneider said.

Schneider said he’s had the honor of working with many great and inspiring Marines. He explained that Marines take great pride in waking up and making sure their uniform is squared away, even though they know it will be dirty at the end of the day.

“They don’t just do this because they have to. It’s because of what the uniform represents,” Schneider said. “It’s because of their devotion to the welfare of the country. They are doing those jobs so we can maintain our liberty and freedom that our founding fathers intended for us.”

Schneider also honored the service of people — like police officers, church volunteers, firefighters and EMTs, who work to make Saline a better place. Schneider said he was glad to make a difference as a member of the fire department.

“We have all responded on someone that we know. As you all know, not all of the calls are pleasant. But the greatest pleasure is that we are there helping when it is needed the most,” Schneider said.

Schneider also credited families, who keep households running when service men and women are called to duty.

“Our families keep things going for us while we are gone. They keep the clothes washed for the kids and take the dog to the vet. They have to function day-to-day and maintain a somewhat normal life while we are gone,” Schneider said. “It’s that type of support that keeps us all strong and level-headed.”

Schneider said Americans sometimes disagree with each other on military involvement around the world.

“But what helps set us set us apart is that we still stand beside each other and offer a whole bunch of support,” he said. “We’re here today to recognize all those who’ve given their lives to defend the United State from terrible people.”

Schneider said it was easy for people to get caught up in modern amenities like high-speed Internet and smart phones, but said people should take time to appreciate the simple things.

“People have forgotten what it has taken America to get where it is today,” he said. “It’s easy to take for granted the simple little things like grass, playgrounds, a roof over your head and organization within our society. We have all these thing because those came before us fought and sacrificed for us. So please, remind yourself every day how fortunate you are to live in this great country.”