Mark and Jaclyn Schmitz of O'Fallon were honored guests at the White House on August 25, marking four years since their son, Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, was killed during the 2021 evacuation of the Kabul airport. The Schmitzes' presence at the event was reported as part of a poignant remembrance for the fallen serviceman and 12 others who lost their lives in the suicide bombing attack. In light of the anniversary, Lance Cpl. Schmitz's parents are actively keeping his memory alive, intertwined with initiatives aimed to support veterans and law enforcement officers.
As noted in a statement obtained by the St. Charles County's website, a prior commitment for Mark Schmitz to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at a St. Charles County Council meeting had to be unexpectedly deferred to attend the White House ceremony. Councilman Matt Swanson extended the invitation and later remarked with a nod to the change of plans, "I was Trumped." The council looks forward to Schmitz's participation at a future meeting where he is set to provide an update on The Freedom 13, a charity established in honor of his son and other military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Freedom 13, a 501(c) nonprofit organization, has set a considerable goal - to construct veteran recreational camps on expansive 100-acre lots across all 50 states. According to the organization's website, these camps are designed to serve as sanctuaries for veterans and police officers and their families, facilitating their journeys of self-discovery while also focusing on their physical and mental well-being. The first of these camps has already been secured in Bourbon, Mo., complete with amenities for outdoor activities and additional housing plans.
"We will be building 13 homes on each Freedom Camp for veterans and their families to use for a week at a time, just like an Airbnb, but only for veterans and police and their families," Schmitz affirmed in an interview highlighted by St. Charles County. The Freedom 13 is looking to expand beyond these recreational retreats by partnering with veteran service organizations to provide mental health counseling and offer job training skills to those in need.
The organization's fundraising efforts are ongoing and varied. The 2025 Songs for Soldiers concert brought together Craig Morgan on September 5 and The Wallflowers the following day, both performances rocking Bolm-Schuhkraft City Park in Columbia, Illinois. Additionally, FreedomFest is slated for October 10-12 in Grafton, Illinois – a music festival that promises to be a highlight of the fall season. On November 8, the annual Freedom 13 Gala will take place at the Foundry Art Centre in St. Charles, further supporting the cause.
