St. Louis HERO Foundation has partnered with USA Mortgage to create the Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz Memorial Fund to ensure that this fallen hero is never forgotten. 100% of the proceeds will go directly towards establishing a future foundation in Jared's honor.
USA Mortgage is covering all processing fees for donations. Each and every dollar collected will go to this hero's family. You can donate at: one.bidpal.net/jaredschmitzmemorial/welcome.
Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz was a 20-year-old U.S. Marine from Wentzville and one of 13 American service members who died in the attacks in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 26, 2021.
“He will always be remembered as a true American hero who had always wanted to serve his country,” says St. Louis HERO Network. “Schmitz had only been in Afghanistan for two weeks to assist with the evacuation efforts before the deadly airport bombing. Mark Schmitz, father of the Marine, revealed that he was notified at 2:40 a.m. that his son was killed in Thursday’s terror attack.”
It was a heartbreaking homecoming for this hometown hero. On Sept. 8, a massive procession took place along Interstate 70 as a Humvee carrying Jared’s body made its 12-mile journey from Lambert Airport to Baue Funeral Home in Cave Springs, led by the Patriot Guard Riders and being saluted as it passed by thousands gathered along the interstate and on overpasses.
A public visitation was held on Sept. 11 before the burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Jared was born Feb. 25, 2001, to Sue Livingston-Schmitz and Mark Joseph Schmitz, who lived in St. Charles during that time. Following a divorce, Sue moved to St. Louis and Mark stayed in St. Charles County. Jared attended elementary and middle school in St. Louis and then attended Fort Zumwalt South High School in O’Fallon. It was there he would formally commit to becoming a Marine, signing enlistment papers during his senior year. He graduated in 2019.
St. Louis HERO Network is also posting other fundraisers for the Schmitz family, so if you have one to post, email your logo and information to Kelly@usa-mortgage.com.
St. Louis HERO Network is a nonprofit marketplace that supports local first responders and military families by promoting their businesses, as well as serving as an employment resource network. For more information: STLHeroNetwork.com/about-st-louis-heros/.