WATERLOO (KWWL) – Two former Eastern Iowa soldiers are being honored for their acts of bravery in Afghanistan back in 2011. The two men — formerly with the Iowa National Guard — received the Army Commendation Medal in Waterloo. Former Sergeant Justin Schmitt and former Specialist Brian Swedberg are recognized for fighting under heavy combat, and forcing the enemy into retreat.
Both men were team leaders in Afghanistan. “I got an email through Facebook saying… I’m getting this award,” said Schmitt. A simple Facebook message alerted Schmitt he’d be awarded in the Waterloo National Guard Readiness Center. It only took that one message for his Aunt Mary to get busy.
She called in the Patriot Guard Riders and tons of family members to see him awarded. “He knew that I had orchestrated all these extra people coming,” said Mary Bond-Meyer. “So he said… we’ll discuss this later!”
Schmitt is grateful for the support, and his quieter life as a civilian. He works at the Five Star Co-Op in Nashua, and while a lot of life has changed, he says a lot of things stay the same. “The military life is more fast-paced than the military life, but if you have kids…it’s almost the same pace, but not so hostile,” said Schmitt.
The honor and satisfaction is still the same, even four years later.
From: http://www.kwwl.com/story/30823314/2015/12/23/two-iowa-men-awarded-army-commendation-medals