COLUMN: Legislation to Honor Fallen Richland Marine Moves Forward
For the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country and on behalf of our freedoms, we find ways – even small ways – to honor their sacrifice and their memory. Though the way we honor the person we lost may seem small, it is still meaningful for loved ones and the community.
Our Washington community honors the life and service of U.S. Marine Sergeant Dietrich Schmieman of Richland, who was serving in the 2nd Raider Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina when he was tragically killed in a cargo plane crash in Mississippi on July 10, 2017.
Dietrich Schmieman's story began much like that of any young person in the Tri-Cities. He grew up in Richland with his parents, Eric and Susan, and his two brothers, Aaron and Hans. He attended Christ the King Catholic School, Hanford High School, and then Columbia Basin College. In 2010, he made the decision to serve his nation and to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.
It was Schmieman's goal to serve within Special Operations Command. During the time of his service, he received 14 awards and decorations, including several Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medals, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He had completed two overseas deployments serving our nation during Operation Enduring Freedom. He achieved his goal, honorably serving as a Critical Skills Operator in the U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Raider Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before his tragic passing.
To show the community's gratitude for his service and recognize the service of all who have given their lives, I was proud to introduce legislation with the bipartisan support of every member of the Washington House delegation to designate the U.S. Postal Service facility at 4801 West Van Giesen Street in West Richland as the "Sergeant Dietrich Schmieman Post Office Building." Dietrich and his fellow service members gave the ultimate sacrifice, and I hope in this small way to honor his memory – as well as the memory of the 15 other men and women who lost their lives in the crash.
This past July, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 5504. In November, the Senate also approved the bill. The final step for is now to for the bill to head to the President's desk for his signature into law.
The renamed post office in his hometown will serve as a reminder of Sgt. Schmieman's service both to his loved ones and to his community for which he gave everything. I know that this will mean a lot to Sgt. Schmieman's family and to our community – serving as a local memorial and reminder of the sacrifice he and his fellow service members gave to preserve the freedoms that are the cornerstone of our nation.
This column is adapted from a speech Rep. Newhouse delivered on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on July 16, 2018, in honor of Sergeant Dietrich Schmieman.