Fallen St. Charles County Marine honored during White House ceremony
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - A fallen Marine from St. Charles County was honored during a ceremony at the White House to observe the anniversary of his death.
Marine Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz was one of 13 U.S. military personnel killed by a suicide bomber during an evacuation of the Kabul, Afghanistan, airport in 2021.
In memory of the four-year anniversary of his death, Schmitz's parents, Mark and Jaclyn, were among those invited to the White House on Aug. 25 for a meeting with President Donald Trump to honor their son.
According to St. Charles County, Mark Schmitz was initially invited to sing the Pledge of Allegiance at the city's council meeting on Aug. 25, but declined the offer, telling the council, "I was Trumped."
Schmitz is scheduled to attend a council meeting at a later date, where he is expected to sing the anthem and provide an update on his charity, Freedom 13, which was created in memory of his son.
Freedom 13 Charity is a nonprofit organization that plans to build veteran recreational camps across 100-acre lots in all 50 states. The charity aims to provide comfort and support for veterans, first responders, and their families.
