NEW LISBON, Wis. (WKBT) — Harry Schwab’s lifetime of military service came into sharp focus on Friday when friends, family and veterans gathered at the New Lisbon Community Center to honor the decorated veteran for his unwavering commitment to the U.S. Navy and Wisconsin National Guard.

For Schwab, military service was more than a career — it was a calling that spanned from age 18 to 74. “This is the way I was born and raised. From 18 to 74, I was always doing something with the military,” Schwab said.

The ceremony celebrated the medals and memories Schwab accumulated throughout his decades of service, but those who have met Schwab say his true legacy extends far beyond the awards displayed in his home.

Janessa Peterson, a care transition coordinator at St. Croix Hospice, witnessed firsthand the pride Schwab takes in his service. “He’s so proud of the service. When you walk in his house, there’s medals all over. There’s pictures of him. And, you know, he dedicated his entire life to the U.S. military. So, it’s just awesome to make sure other people are aware of it,” Peterson said.

While the medals and accolades mark important milestones in Schwab’s military career, he credits his greatest satisfaction to a different kind of achievement — developing the next generation of military leaders.

As an instructor with the Wisconsin Guard, Schwab trained soldiers in leadership positions preparing them for combat. He understood the weight of that responsibility. “We were training guys in leadership positions to go and fight in the war. And if we didn’t do a good job, they may not survive as a unit. So that’s what gave me the most satisfaction, was training these guys because we could, not to fight, but lead,” Schwab explained.

Reflecting on more than five decades of service, Schwab expressed no regrets about the path he chose. “In my whole 53 years with the military in one form or another, I never regretted one day, not one day. Everything served a purpose. So I again, I never regretted it,” he said.

Organizers of the recognition event emphasized that ceremonies like these serve a dual purpose — they provide an opportunity for the community to thank veterans for their service while giving veterans like Schwab a platform to share their stories and the lessons learned throughout their careers.

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