The news came to The Register from the Associated Press at 2:15 a.m., the factories were notified and the whistles started. For nearly an hour the great steam voices screamed and whooped and yodeled and chortled and made all the joyful noises it was in their brazen throats to make. Almost by magic the streets were filled with cheering crowds. The demonstration will be brought to a close in a burst of glory tonight with music and bonfires and speeches. The Register, Nov. 11, 1918
Humboldts Frank Schomaker will drive his restored Army jeep in Iolas Veterans Day Parade today, and in a vets parade Sunday afternoon in Humboldt.
Franks patriotism is unwavering in deed and expression. He served in the Army 1959-62, including 18 months in Germany during the Cold War. In more recent years his love of restoring vehicles has come to roost with the Army jeep; a disparaged civilian model he found hiding on a used car lot; and a third, a long-body military version. He also has an Army ambulance awaiting revival.
A shop on Eighth Street in Humboldt, once home to a National Guard unit, is where Frank spends his time rebuilding jeeps. Hes busy, but at 77 hell take a break and visit about his lifes journey, which began with birth in Neosho Falls.
Finding him in a pensive mood, Schomaker will talk about seeing a fetching girl driving a 1959 red Chevy convertible he was in its near twin, a 1960 model. He and Janice (nee, Frevele) celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary May 4.
He may tell about working for Humboldt Industries, manufacturer of locally famous three-wheel Red Rider scooters. Hes likely to mention his 24 years at Monarch, and then running his own business, Humboldt Lube Service, until health issues led to retirement in 2012.
Now, his work is pleasure-bound.
SEVERAL war stories are in his loosely tied bag, yearning to fall free.
On arrival at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., for basic training, a tough-looking sergeant handed him a four-by-four of an M1s length and told Frank to walk guard duty with the make-believe rifle.
When he stopped at the post canteen, he learned the way of the Army. I was asked for my second general order, there are 10. He had no idea, but learned quickly and never has forgotten. General order No. 2 has to do with a soldier guarding his post until relieved.
The Armys promise was tutoring in welding or mechanics. Frank ended up where manpower was needed, Ft. Gordons signal school. On graduation he was sent to Germany, with an an armored unit at Butzbach just after Elvis Presley had returned to singing and gyrating. Not having met The King was a disappointment; Elvis was very well liked by everyone I talked to.
While there he was near where 16 soldiers were killed and 27 wounded by U.S. eight-inch howitzer shells that over-shot a range.
During a confrontation at the border with East Germany, Franks 3rd Armored, with 102 tanks battle-ready, was placed on full alert. The mission was for the tank outfit to hold at least 30 minutes until a greater response could be mounted against a million Soviet troops.
