Local 21 Illinois Veteran Publishes WWII Novel

Third-generation Local 21 Illinois member, Richard “Bud” Schwier, recently published his first book, No Trumpets in March. The novel draws on Schwier’s World War II combat experience in General George Patton’s Third Army in France, where a German artillery shell put him out of action during the Battle of Metz.

After months of hospitalization, he returned to civilian life and began his career as a bricklayer, joining the Union in 1945. Over the years, Schwier supported his family by working on many large projects in the Chicago area, first as a bricklayer, then as a foreman, and finally as a General Superintendent. His last big project was the Hyatt Regency, Chicago, in the mid-1970s. About ten years ago, his lifelong love affair with books led him to become a member of the Downers Grove Writers’ Workshop and to his writing of No Trumpets.

Schwier and wife Dolores enjoy their retirement by dining out and traveling. He looks forward to receiving his Gold Card at Local 21’s 50-year service awards dinner in October.