Interview By: Christina Etchberger

Listen in as Christina Etchberger, Founder of It’s a Military Life, talks with Colonel (Ret) Claude Schmid, Founder of Veteran Last Patrol. They discuss the story behind this amazing non-profit organization, how to get involved, and the event of the season: Operation Holiday Salute!

About the Founder

“Believing that no veteran should depart this life without a friend nearby, Claude volunteers extensively for veterans in hospice.”

Colonel (Ret) Claude Schmid

Colonel (Ret) Claude Schmid is a very accomplished veteran, author, volunteer, and most recently the founder of Veteran Last Patrol.

Claude served in the Army for 31 years, as a Armor officer where he served in combat units around the world. His military career experiences and honors are extensive, including his completion of two tours of duty in Iraq for which he was awarded two bronze stars. Claude’s military career is full of exemplary leadership and inspiring acts of patriotism.

Claude served three years as the Chief of the Army’s Wounded Warrior Flight Program for his final duty position. During this time, Claude represented the nation’s senior leadership in greeting many families of the wounded as they and their service members returned to the United States for medical treatment. After witnessing the strength and resiliency of the service members and their families, Claude continued to honor and support our veteran community by dedicating himself to a new mission: to serve veterans by bringing new friendships, honor ceremonies, and emergency assistance while in hospice care. In 2019, Claude founded www.veteranlastpatrol.org, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing veteran friends to veterans in end-of-life care.

To learn more about Veteran Last Patrol and how to get involved, visit veteranlastpatrol.org