The grand marshal of the fourth annual Pea Ridge Veterans Day Parade, Howard Schuettpelz, drove his 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air in the parade.
The car, identical to his first car left behind when he joined the Army, has been a source of comfort to him helping him overcome depression that resulted from his war-time injuries.
Schuettpelz, born in Shawano, Wisc., learned to work hard growing up on his family's farm. He was drafted in 1968 and went to boot camp in Fort Campbell, Ken., then deployed to Vietnam as part of the 1st Logistical Command, 48th Group, 379th Transportation Company "Reefer Kings." Stationed at Long Binh Post Bien Hoa and Saigon, he earned the nickname "farm boy" because of his ability to drive large vehicles thanks to his experience on the family farm.
He was recognized for driving more than 12,000 miles accident free.
In the summer of 1969, Schuettpelz was the driver of a truck at the front of a convoy near the Cambodian border when his unit was ambushed and he was hit -- showered with shrapnel with the main concentration in his legs. Although wounded, he maneuvered his truck out of the road to allow the remainder of the convoy to proceed. He was seriously wounded and sent back to the United States to a hospital where it took two years to recover. He earned both the Bronze Star medal and the Purple Heart. Because of his injuries and later medical complications, Schuettpelz lost both of his legs.
An active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8109, Schuettpelz speaks with veterans and visits the VA hospital.
"It has been an absolute privilege to visit with Howard and ... learn more about him and serve alongside him at VFW Post 8109," fellow veteran Chris Snow said, when introducing Schuettpelz at the Veterans Assembly at Pea Ridge High School Friday. "It's my honor and pleasure to introduce the 2017 Veterans Day Parade grand marshal -- Howard H. Schuettpelz."
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Editor's note: See more about the assembly on pg. 4B of this week's TIMES.
Community on 11/15/2017