William Lee Schwartz

West Point, 1959

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by BG RM Ong (Ret) on December 16, 2014:

I have admired and respected Ranger Bill for a long time. I had always wanted to meet him, but now it is too late. We were both members of the West Point Forum and we exchanged ideas many times. I found Bill to be a man of firm convictions, fully knowledgeable on every topic that he commented. He was also firmly committed to the "Duty, Honor, Country" ethic, long after he had retired from the Army, and he proved this time and again by showing others the way to West Point. What I found most admirable was his commitment to the young generation -- specifically those whom he helped to enter the Oakland Military Institute. He spoke glowingly about those who accepted the chance to enter the OMI and prepare themselves for the challenges of the future. Bill may have thought that he was HELPING some teen-agers, but the rest of us knew he was RESCUING them from a life of poverty, despair, perhaps even crime -- and then leading them along a path to responsible adulthood and success as a useful member of American society. We Forumites could sense his pride and triumph as he spoke of those OMI youths who were accepted by West Point or other colleges and universities. We felt not only Bill's triumph, but also the triumph of the youths who had relied on Bill's inspiration and their own sweat as they clawed their way up the ladder of academic success. Many of these OMI graduates are professionals now, but they will remember for a long time, their mentor and how much they owe this giant of a man. We Forumites will miss Ranger Bill. He was an active member who participated in many topics of discussion in our email society. I know that I learned a lot from his ideas and experiences -- and I will miss the camaraderie of a man whom I have never "howdied or shook." I wish that I had a chance to tell him how much he has enriched my life. But Ranger Bill had to move on to a better place, and someday I hope to meet him finally. To his family and friends -- Hava neranana venis'mecha (Let us sing and be cheerful) -- because our Bill is now with the Almighty! Shalom, Ranger Bill -- well done! Be thou at peace! Brigadier General Ramon M. Ong (Retired) Armed Forces of the Philippines USMA 1963

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