HEROES AMONG US


Story and photos by Borden Black


HOME for a HERO


Ranger Mike is greeted by fellow Rangers at the groundbreaking for his new home. A


very special home is beginning to rise from the ground in Harris Woods. It’s a smart home being


built for Sgt. 1st Class Michael Schlitz, who was severely wounded in Iraq. He was the sole survivor of an improvised explosive device attack on his Humvee in February of 2007. Although he escaped alive, he was burned over 85 percent of his body and lost both arms. “Ranger Mike,” who has undergone


more than 79 surgeries, requires around- the-clock care, which has been provided


AUGUST 2013


by his mom, Robbi Schlitz. She says that when he returned from Iraq, “It was a mother’s nightmare.” Once he began the healing process, his mom says, they just focused on the next steps. “Aſter a while you have taken so many steps it is just like a miracle. You don’t focus on what brought you to where you are.” Nobody expects to be living with their


children, especially when they are adults, Robbi says, and as a result they have gone through some “mommy-son issues.” It’s been particularly difficult because of the


Columbus and the Valley


living arrangements. When he was released from the hospital, the post housing was a two-bedroom, one-bath home. She says that for two independent people, not used to living together, that was hard. Te two now live in a house in San Antonio with an upstairs and downstairs so they can have some privacy. “Now we are ready to take the next step,”


says Robbi. “We don’t need to be living side by side in each other’s face.” It was a joint decision to select Columbus as their new home. Both have friends here


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