Korean War veteran dying wish, for others to get healing help

Korean war vet honored for his service just hours before his death
Marshall Independent
Jody Issackson
May 28, 2018

WOOD LAKE — Korean War veteran Harlan Schwerin was honored the morning of May 21 in his hospital bed at Avera Morningside Heights. Staff members presented him with a flag pin and a thank-you card for his service to country.

Later that day, Schwerin died at the age of 90, having been haunted by post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for much of his adult life.

Schwerin wasn’t one to seek out personal glory, his daughter Kay Wothe, said Thursday. However, he would want to encourage younger veterans to seek the help they need with PTSD, as he had years ago.

Back then, PTSD hadn’t been labeled yet, and it was unheard of to ask for help. People who did ask for help often carried a stigma about them because no one understood what they were going through, Wothe said.

“He would want to help other veterans get the help they deserve,” she said. “He wants younger veterans not to be stopped from getting the help they need and to increase awareness through education.”
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