Flying over Heroes' Field

Schlund in front of the helicopter he now flies for Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. 

(Photo courtesy of Todd Schlund)

MOUNT VERNON — Todd Schlund credits his success in life to those around him -- his family, his parents and the people of Mount Vernon and surrounding area, to name a few.

"I'm here because I've had great people carry my dumb butt, and the good Lord has a great sense of humor," he said.

Schlund, 51, grew up on a hog farm outside Mount Vernon. He now lives in Locust Grove, Va., and is a STAT MedEvac helicopter pilot for Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

His expansive experience as a decorated U.S. Marine, military medevac pilot and as a military private contractor helped him garner the position.

Schlund's well-rounded career as a medevac pilot, both in helicopters and jets, also gained him recognition in his hometown. He was inducted into Heroes' Field in October and recognized for his service to his country.

"He was a unanimous choice for us. His resume is impressive and his service to our country is unparalleled," said Eric Denning, Mount Vernon's activities director and a selection committee member. "He is a man who has dedicated his life to the betterment and well-being of others."

His awards are the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Air Medal with five Strike/Flight Awards, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat V and two gold stars and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one gold star.

Even six months after being inducted into Mount Vernon's Heroes' Field, Schlund is still honored for the recognition.

"I received this honor because of what family and community members taught me," Schlund said. "I am who I am because of them."

He flew missions during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch and three tours in Iraq for Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

He flew CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters, AV-8B Harrier II jets and MC-12 Liberty jets.

After he retired from the Marine Corps in 2008, he worked at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore in the applied physics lab. When a private company found out he was a retired combat pilot, it told Schlund the U.S. Department of Defense needed help. So Schlund went back overseas as a contractor supporting special operations units. He flew intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

"There is so much demand for ISR stuff, they just don't have the number of people they need," Schlund said.

When he finished his private contractor work for the military, Schlund came back to the U.S. and worked for Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., and is now flying medevac helicopters for Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Although he is proud of growing up on a farm and the work ethic it instilled in him, Schlund said he wanted to "strike out" on his own.

"I really felt I owed something to America and the folks who'd been around me, those who'd gone before me," he said. "I felt like I owed them something back."

The Marines

When the opportunity to join the Marine Corps arose in 1983 while he was attending the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, he took it as a challenge. The 1981 Mount Vernon High School graduate said a recruiter "laid down the gauntlet" by asking, "What makes you think you can do this?"

"I said, 'Because I know I can do this,' " Schlund said.

After he graduated from USD in 1985, he mostly flew helicopters during the first half of his career. He transitioned to flying jets during the last half of his career for troop transport and medevac missions.

He chose the Marine Corps because of its members' pride and professionalism.

"It's a small organization, it's very integrated," he said. "We can go out and we've got our own aircraft and ground guys."

He added that there's a lot of emphasis on operating as a team and never letting your fellow Marines down.

Schlund attained the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring. He commanded a support squadron on his second tour in Iraq. He was in charge of security, health, morale and welfare for more than 900 people.

During his final tour, Schlund was the executive officer of a support group for all security and airfield business. While there, his combat medevac flight training came in handy again as the unit was short of medevac pilots. He flew a CH-46E helicopter on a combat medevac mission into Habbaniyah, Iraq.

Family, support has been everything

He said the most difficult part of his military career was constantly leaving his family. Schlund and his wife, Jody, have been married for 30 years this summer.

"She's been awesome," Schlund said. "It's been very, very, very hard on the family. There's no other way to put it. It has just been hard on them."

The couple have four children -- twin daughters Ashlee and Linsey; son Tony, who is in the Navy; and daughter Courtney, still at home.

Jody was not thrilled about Schlund going back into a war zone in Afghanistan in 2013 as a private contractor. But she supported the decision knowing he had the skills needed to help save lives, Schlund said.

"I have a certain skillset, experience, that through all those years, if I've got that and there's a need, then I should do what I can to support the effort," Schlund said.

He said the military lifestyle and his position as a private contractor with the military have taken a toll on his wife and children. He missed graduations, concerts, proms, birthdays, Christmases and other important events. He describes Jody and his children as "awesome."

Three of his children graduated from high school while he was overseas.

"They're very proud and very supportive, but I'm kind of glad I'm not currently doing those things," Schlund said of his military career. "If I've had any success, it's because Jody's been there and raised the kids."

Heroes' Field induction

Support from his hometown community and state has also been huge for Schlund.

In October, he was honored as an inductee into Heroes' Field at Mount Vernon School. The Heroes' Field Courtyard is a project to raise funds for Mount Vernon School District's outdoor athletic complex. A granite plaque bearing Schlund's photo, his name and a brief description has been placed in the courtyard.

"When I first heard about it, I really struggled with it," Schlund said. "I was unbelievably honored. I didn't see it coming. I was blown away."

Schlund often says he is no one special and didn't feel worthy of receiving such an honor from his hometown. But then it dawned on him: the award wasn't about him, he said. He viewed the award as a testament to the people and events that helped shape his life.

He said every interaction he had with farmers in the community, the moms and dads who volunteered and his schoolmates helped him become who he is. He succeeded because the people of Mount Vernon showed a strong work ethic, plowing through hard winters and ignoring pain and sickness.

"They left something with me, even in a small way, but nonetheless had an impact on my life," he said. "So I suddenly realized it was not my award, it was their award."

He said the men and women of the community helped him put his faith in God and grow in his faith.

"Faith has been a huge part of my life," Schlund said. "I know all the stuff I've been through and the blessings I've had is because of His hand, not because of anything I've done."

His classmates and community members prayed for him when he was deployed.

He credits his dad, Bill, his mom, Bonnie, and sister, Jill Roberts, for giving him great inspiration. As a hog farmer, his dad worked particularly hard to support the family. His mom spent many years suffering debilitating migraines, but fought through the pain to raise and support her family. She died in 2007.

"I respect no one on the planet more than Mom and Dad," Schlund said.

His sister also suffered terrible migraines and defeated breast cancer.

"She always meets me with a smile," Schlund said. "I'm surrounded by heroes. At the end of the day, it did a lot for me in my journey."

Schlund also said his induction into Heroes' Field is thanks to the organization's committee, who selects the inductees, including Sherri Kayser who made the plaque Schlund received. Mount Vernon Athletics, Denning and Superintendent Patrick Mikkonen allowed him to speak at the school, which was an honor, Schlund said.

"To this day, I don't feel worthy of the recognition. It's such a distinct honor," Schlund said. "We get recognized in the military, but when you think about it, there's only one Heroes' Field. Only a handful of people can say they've received that honor."

Story and photo:  http://www.mitchellrepublic.com