‘Freedom is not free:’ Wilson Middle School honors veterans
A World War II veteran, a Vietnam veteran and a Green Beret who was killed in Afghanistan two years ago were honored Wednesday at Wilson Middle School.
Vietnam Marine veteran Brad Fagerstrom said it’s important that veterans share their stories with young people, especially stories about men and women who were killed serving their country.
Fagerstrom served in Vietnam in 1965, 1966 and 1968 and lost many friends in the war, he said.
“It is important for these children to understand that freedom is not free but it’s for everyone, and everyone to share equally,” Fagerstrom said. “They need to understand that American blood is fertilizing freedom throughout the world. It’s a harsh way to look at it, but it is the truth.”
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World War II veteran Marty Fuhrman was also recognized. He was one of the first Americans to go into Hiroshima, which was hit by a nuclear bomb toward the end of the war. He was also responsible for capturing prisoners.
Wilson Middle School students presented each veteran with a plaque as part of the school’s annual assembly organized by math teacher Pete Regli.
The students also honored the late Scott Studenmund, a Green Beret who lost his life in Afghanistan in 2014.
The former Flintridge Prep student was 24 when he died.
Before his death, he was working to clear villages in southern Afghanistan of the Taliban ahead of the country’s first free election in years, recalled his mother, Jaynie Studenmund, who attended the event.
“He and his brothers were fighting to clear those villages of the Taliban. He and his buddies were talking about where they were going to eat when they got home. And then a number of shots rang out,” Jaynie Studenmund said.
He died as a result of friendly fire from an aircraft.
The last thing her son did before his death was save a medic’s life, she said.
“We have gotten to know that young man today and his family. As soon as he got home, he sent us a picture with his two children and said, ‘I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for your son.’”
If her son were alive, Jaynie Studenmund said he would share his love for the United States with the Wilson students.
“He would do what he did — as I’m sure other veterans who are here — all over again. I think what he would ask of you is to do everything you can to make the world a better place. It doesn’t mean you have to go over to Afghanistan or go to Iraq, or be in the military, but what it does mean is you have to do your very, very best in life,” she said. “I think he would want to say that, and I think he’s here with us, and I think he would be incredibly honored and grateful.”
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Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com
Twitter: @kellymcorrigan
