Shiner Catholic School honors Veteran with diploma

After 60 years, a Shiner veteran has received his high school diploma on Veterans Day.

Vietnam veteran Klaus David Schlamb was awarded his diploma at Shiner Catholic School, which he attended years ago.

Jeannie Koch, who works at Shiner Catholic School and is involved in the VFW, was the one who awarded Schlamb his diploma.

“Last month, at our monthly VFW meeting, I was approached by a fellow VFW member who asked if I worked at Shiner Catholic School,” Koch said. “I replied yes, and he told me that David Schlamb had turned in all the documentation to receive his diploma years ago. I immediately felt compelled, and somewhat obligated to ensure that this man who, before I was even born, raised his right hand and swore to support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic and to preserve the peace and security of our nation so that we can live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. He is a true example of what it means to never give up on what you set out to achieve. Although 60 years, just simply says, it’s never too late. To David Schlamb, I say thank you for never giving up on something you so deeply set out to achieve.”

Koch said Schlamb receiving his diploma was quite a surprise for him.

“This was absolutely a very big surprise for him,” Koch said. “His wife was a key player in this whole thing. I called the surprise ‘Operation Diploma.’ Schlamb was surprised and a little in awe. I have so much respect for this man, it touches my heart to know what he did for this country before we were even born.”

Koch is a veteran herself, having served two combat tours in Iraq. She felt compelled to commemorate Schlamb with his diploma.

Koch said the Catholic school was very supportive in giving out this diploma.

Schlamb was born in Wuppertal, Germany and was only seven months old when World War II ended. In December of 1951, he and his younger sister were placed in an orphanage in Munich, Germany and was to be sent to the states.

“These two young orphans stayed at the Children’s Center in Munich until July of 1952 when they were put on a plane with 100 other German children and flown to New York where they were processed for adoption,” Koch said. “Later that year, they were adopted from the Catholic Children’s Home in Richmond, Virginia by the Schlamb family from Lynchburg, Virginia. Two years later, they moved to Houston and in November of 1957 at the age of 12, he and his sister became naturalized US citizens. He lived in Houston until September of 1958, when he moved in with Frank and Ellie Winkler of Shiner and enrolled at St. Ludmila’s Academy.”

“In March of 1964, two months before high school graduation, he joined the Army National Guard in Gonzales as a Personnel Clerk. He attended basic training in Fort Johnson (formally Fort Polk), Louisiana and in May of 1967, he joined the draft.”

Schlamb served his country with honor from 1968 to 1969 and received many medals.

“He served 13 years in the United States Army,” Koch said. “Some of his duty stations include Fort Eustis, Virginia, Fort Stewart, Georgia, Kaiserslatten, Germany, and Camp Casey, Korea. He was medically retired from Fort Sam Houston, Texas due to a back injury he sustained while in the National Guard. While assigned to Fort Stewart, he attained a secondary Military Occupational Specialty of Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. His awards include the Good Conduct Medal 3 OLC, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, the M-14 Rifle Expert Badge, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.”

Everyone in attendance at the Shiner Catholic School Veterans ceremony were filled with deep gratitude to Schlamb, who showed bravery and loyalty to his country.