Rodney Schrock Is October Veteran Of The Month

By Doug KapkeRodney E. Schrock was named Jefferson County’s October Veteran of the Month on Tuesday, October 7, 2025. In addition, he was presented with a Quilt of Valor and a a hand-made, patriotic wall-hanging created by Rory Rosener. Schrock was born January 23, 1934, in a small house north of the City Park where he lived with his parents, an older sister and two younger brothers. They learned to share many things. There was no television or phone. They did have a record player and a radio which afforded them opportunity in the evening to listen to programs like “Gunsmoke,” “Gene Autry” and “Fibber McGee and Molly.” They had no indoor plumbing, but did have a well and pump that provided water for the family needs.Schrock attended kindergarten through third grade at West Ward School which then was located just south of the Fairbury Museum. Due to zoning changes, he attended the next three years at Park School and finished grade school at the old Central School located at 8th and H Streets. He started his first year of high school at Fairbury, but needed to transfer mid-year to Clayton, Kansas, due to his father’s railroad occupation. He was able to finish high school at Fairbury by living with his uncle Garland Hasse and family on a farm five miles southwest of Fairbury. The last two years of high school he worked part time for the Fairbury Daily News which was located at what is now Verizon. Schrock graduated from Fairbury High School in May, 1952, and moved to Almena, Kansas, to live with his parents and hired on at Norton, Kansas, as a railroad maintenance and construction worker. In those days young men were required to register for the draft. The next step was getting a letter from the U.S. Army to report to Omaha, for a pre-induction physical examination to see if one qualified for military service. Upon being found fit for military duty young men were placed on an induction list and placed in various ratings based upon marital status, number of dependents and current job status.Schrock was drafted into the Army in September, 1956, and sent to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, for eight weeks of Basic Training and 12 weeks of Radio School as an Intermediate Speed Radio Code Operator. After a 14 hour flight to Germany, he was first assigned to the 1st AAA Group as a radio code operator. A nearby city of Heidelberg had areas of Allied bombing that had not been rebuilt. About 14 months later he was assigned to the 32nd AAA Brigade in Manheim, Germany, for the remaining tour of duty. He mainly served on a team of radio operators who maintained contact with other units in that part of Europe. He also had motor pool duty to ensure vehicles were maintained for duty. On occasion he and his fellow veterans received military passes and leave time to travel. Once they traveled to Brussels, Belgium, for the 1958 World’s Fair. They saw products and goods from almost every country in the world. One of the most interesting items was the Soviet Union Sputnik Space Ship that was shot into space in 1957.During his time in Germany, Schrock and his unit had field training maneuvers to keep ready in case of a conflict. Most soldiers were not performing duties they were trained for and promotions were frozen. During one duty assignment involving moving heavy generators Schrock injured his back and was on light duty for the remainder of his time in Germany. Private First Class Schrock’s return trip to the United States was an eight day trip to Fort Dix, New Jersey, and on the way from the New York Harbor they saw the Statue of Liberty. Two days later by means of several modes of transportation he arrived at his parent’s home in Mankato, Kansas where he lived for a short while as he adjusted to civilian life.Shortly thereafter, Schrock moved to Fairbury and began working for the Rock Island Railroad “Western Division,” stationed out of Fairbury. In the early days work was not so steady, but he stayed with it for over 41 years. He was on full time call when at home and spent the majority of his time working away from home and family. Schrock retired in 1994 and spends his time with his wife Janice, keeping in contact with his two daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren and doing volunteer work at his church.Schrock‘s military awards include: Good Conduct Medal, M1 Garand rifle Sharpshooter Badge and Army Service Medal.

Jeffs Battle Wolverines On Gridiron

Pilot Programs Show Promise For Water Quality, But Water Quantity Still Being Addressed For Fairbury Water System

Related Articles

High Winds Fuel Multiple Wild Fires in SE Nebraska

Sen. Ricketts Makes the Case for War

City Offices Closed During Move

A Broken Wire Over Railroad Tracks Leaves City in the Dark