What's the most generous thing you've ever done?

Schmitz fund-raiser set Sunday, Sept. 3
Frazee Forum, Wednesday, August 30, 2006

The Frazee Restaurant and Bar will be the location Sunday, Sept. 3, for a fund-raiser for Spc. Lucas Schmitz, Perham. A pasta feed will take place from 5-9 p.m. in the restaurant and bar with a percentage of the proceeds to go to the Schmitz' family. A live auction will start at 7:30 p.m. in the bar. All proceeds from the auction will go to the family. Lucas had been serving with Company "A" of the 2nd of the 136th Combat Arms Battalion in Iraq for four months. Tuesday, July 25, he was traveling in a company Humvee which hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). With the Humvee on fire, Lucas left the vehicle and stepped on another IED. He sustained severe damage to his lower right leg, shrapnel wounds to his thighs and abdomen, burns, a broken right arm, two broken fingers and a broken thumb. Once stabilized, he was flown to Balad, Iraq, where his right leg was amputated below the knee. His next stop was the Army Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, where he was treated for an infection. By July 29, he was stateside at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Another surgery was needed to removed more of the right leg to above the knee. His family, including parents Tim and Nancy, along with his girlfriend Christina, have been with him in Texas. "The Army pays for all his medical expenses," explained Rod Osvold, one of those organizing the fund-raiser. "The benefit proceeds will go to the family to cover things such as travel expenses, hotel and meal costs," said Osvold, "and future expenses needed to bring Lucas home." Items are needed for the live auction. Anyone with items to donate can call Osvold at 334-2225 or Dion Alger at 334-2551. Donations may also be made to a benefit fund established at United Community Bank in Frazee and Perham. Representatives from the Detroit Lakes and Fergus Falls Minnesota National Guard units, as well as, members from the Patriot Guard Riders will be on hand to support the event.
Lucas Schmitz' Caring Bridge Page click on visit a caring bridge site, under site name: lucasschmidt

Lucas Schmitz' father has been in touch with Josh Hanson's family over the past ten days. Josh had told his Mom and Dad of a close call he had had in late July. Josh was riding behind a Humvee which struck an IED. The soldiers were able to get out of the Humvee, but one of them stepped on another IED severely damaging his right leg. Josh and a medic ran up to the soldier and put a tourniquet on the soldier's leg. Josh stayed with the soldier, talking to him and keeping him conscious until a helicopter arrived to take him away. The soldier Josh helped was Lucas Schmitz. His father has told the Hansons that Lucas feels Josh saved his life.