It is difficult to understand or comprehend his death. Larry was a very close friend.  We will miss him greatly in so many ways. We can't find the right words to express what a great man and commander he was. As general Lee said when he learned of Stonewall's death "I feel I have lost my right arm".  The Post Family

To All of Our Friends in the 3rd U. S.:

   The Howitzers are greatly saddened to hear of Larry's loss. Larry has always been a cordial host and congenial commander for any aspect of reenacting that concerned the Howitzers. He was a fine, effective leader with whom it was a pleasure to work.Please express our condolences to Larry's family.
Larry will be greatly missed. Next year, there will be a vacant chair around the campfire.
Ed Mann

    As Commander of the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, I would also like to send my condolences to the Schneider family.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this terrible time.  Larry was one of the true gentlemen reenactors who brought a bit of nobility to the hobby.  Larry was always knowledgeable and helpful.  Even though we portrayed enemies, he always made me feel welcome when I was in his camp.  His Southern brothers will truly miss him.
Capt. Brook Byerley
Norfolk Commander

I won't be able to be present for services, but I hope you will let your pards know that we on the Oakley Team are thinking of you and his family.  With the permission of your unit, I will ask our organization to dedicate the next Oakley Tactical to Larry, so that the re-enacting community we shared will remember him in April - at the start of a new season.  We will carry his memory forward.

Larry really understood the value of what we are trying to accomplish at Oakley and he supported it without question.  Such people of vision are truly rare.

I'm really glad to know that you will commit him with all proper honors, which I'm sure he will appreciate (I picture him returning the salute from a ghostly mount - that's just the type of man he was). I only wish I could pay my tribute in person.

Sincerely,
John Quimby

I didn't know Larry as well as most of you, but I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to call him my friend. I will always treasure the memories of reenacting and working with Larry over the past years. He did so much for the club and for it's members, it will be a daunting task for anyone to attempt to follow the image of leadership Larry Schneider portrayed.

But there is something I will always remember and take great pride in Larry for. Those of us who have worked with horses for years trust them to a certain point, but always remain cautious around them. So when someone with little or no equestrian background begins in that part of our hobby, we almost walk on eggs to watch everything. But, undoubtedly, something happens to where they get unhorsed. The greatest test of fortitude and character happens when they get 2 options: Give up, or take their licks and get back on. Larry Schneider always got back on. He never let the horse go. He never gave up, no matter how many times he came off. Please remember Larry for that, always. I will be at Charlie Tarbox's in Gettysburg for the Thanksgiving Holiday and will give special thanks for Larry having been here with us, as I know you all will. I remember the 3rd US everyday when I hear the morning and evening guns and when I pass by the rows of tubes and monuments on Trophy Point. I shall miss him a lot.

Most Sincerely and Respectfully,
    Eric C. Heely
    USMA Class of 2005

Subject: RE: Capn Larry Schneider, 3rd US Artillery Batterys L&M
    The loss of Larry Schneider is one felt by all his family and friends.
Larry was a man of quality and character and I shall feel the loss deeply. My only hope is that those who knew Larry will remember him fondly and in those memories a small piece of him will live on forever...

Roy Wells

Gentlemen & Ladies of CHAS,
    Please know that I share everyone's grief at the sad loss of Larry Schnieder.  Despite the fact that losing commrades has become almost all-too familiar in the reenacting community of late, this one seems to hit me especially hard.

Perhaps it is the closeness of being injured while pursuing a mounted impression, or possibily it is the loss of the hope inspired by Larry's heroic recovery efforts and progress immediately after the injury.

In thinking about this, I realize that, for whatever reason, I am deeply touched by the death of a man I did not know very well. Some of us actively seek out leadership positions, and try to have input on the decision making process in a given situation.  But, leadership positions can also sometimes actively seek out leaders. From where I stood across the lines, this appeared to have been the case with Captain Larry Schnieder.  A quiet competence, combined with a fierce underlying passion for what was being done, naturally drew men to look to him for leadership.

We as individuals, and this endeavor that we call reenacting, are all much poorer in this life for the loss of such a man. The closeness of my wife's and my third child (2 days and counting) requires that I keep to family matters at home on Friday morning, and I now expect to miss the services for Larry.
Please know that I am there in spirit, and I wish you all safe travels on Friday and throughout the holiday weekend.

Best Regards,
Kermit Claytor
CHAS Member
14th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry

A bullet just went past the ears of all us oldsters and hit the guy who was best liked and most respected among us. Larry's death by horse accident will have a profound effect on us.  My last memory of Larry was is smile as he received an award of appreciation for his efforts in bringing us together and putting us on our current path.

Larry used his great organizational gifts to craft and shape our club. We are Larry's vision.    To the extent that the club is a family, we have all lost a brother.   I would like to tell his family that I am thankful that I was allowed to know him during his time.

Paul C. Cowan

I could write volumes but it all boils down to the fact that I shall FOREVER be privileged and honored to have been a friend of Larry Schneider. I will miss him dearly and will never forget him.

Cpl Neal Jones
Quartermaster and Clerk
3rd US Artillery, Battery L&M

The loss of my friend and mentor Larry Schneider will be felt for a long time to come. Larry and I go back many years in the reenacting community. I can remember many a good and trying time we have had together operating this reenacting business, as we liked to joke about it.  His void will be deeply felt not only by his family and loved ones. but also by all that have ever know him. Larry was a strong leader of people, fair and effective. always giving credit and parsing others for there actions, never looking for anything for himself in return. When the people under his command were happy, Larry was his happiest. It is for his unselfishness and dedication to his fellow man, along with the reenacting community. that we will forever remember his standards and accomplishments.

Teddy 'EL DUCE ' Miljevich
President CHAS

There are a few people you meet in your short life that leave a lasting impression. Captain Larry Schneider was one of the outstanding persons that leaves a lasting impression. His devotion to his men and hobby can be an example for all of us.

The officer that I knew was fair to all and truly lead by example. He saw to his men first and put their issues before all others issues. It will not be the same attending CHAS events without Larry. To say he will be missed is a true understatement.

When "my time comes" and I must go down the trail to Fiddlers Green it will be to see my old friend in a better place.

Till than...
Don Laporta

I have received your many emails on this subject---and have found it quite hard to really get a grip on myself and give "Larry" his proper due! Where does one start ---with a person that first started out as a fellow reenactor on my gun---and became one of the greatest friends I've ever had the pleasure to Know! As you know Larry was always there to lend a hand from the very first---to anybody-(and one of the very last to leave) ! With his tremendous interest and organization skills he quickly went up thru the chain of command-----and was in a large way responsible to what we as "CHAS" ----have become!

Sharon and I have had the pleasure of knowing his parents (Fran & Larry)---way before I started doing "Artillery Reenacting"---when the four of us met thru mutual friends.Thru this friendship Scott (Larrys nephew) when a young lad visited our CW Museum and became a "CW Buff". In time as he grew older he was the first of the "Schneider Clan" to start what was to become indeed interesting as at one time we had all four Scneiders represented and participating (Scott,then Larry & Emily and Steve). Due to a variety of factors (some unplanned) our "Larry' has been the one consistent Schneider represented in CHAS! As most people that know "Larry" and his family they are very close, loving and supportive----and attended many of the reenactments he participated in!

Over the years Larry & I shared many of the good things and often the seemy side (i.e. the trials & tribulations associated with his leadership role as CHAS expanded)-- and we all developed/progressed! I'll miss all those conversations we had (on his plans, his or my thoughts on anything) as we traveled together to "Meetings" and when we traveled (in separate vehicles but) together hauling our equipment. We both had CB Radios so used to Yak back and forth to keep each other awake---and rehash all kinds of subjects! If you remember Larry took responsibility for my gun storing it/maintaining it/often transporting it with his vehicle. He took a personal interest in it and I'll always remember him for this! He was very supportive of my ever expanding CW Artillery Display---as it seemed this was also a public draw to our camp ---as we tried to escalate our in-camp living history program!"!

Although I have many special memories I've shared with "Larry" there are two that I would like to share with you: (1) Our trip to Portland, Oregon to pick up the units first 3 in Ord Rifle. We called this "Our Trip from Hell"! We not only experienced all kinds of bad weather (wind,fog,rain & snow) but it was a miracle that we even got back home safely---as we even at one point slid all over in the snow with the trailor and cannon slipping and sliding with us! We both agreed we would not choose to do this trip again (and when Larry got home he sold his Chevy pickup and went to a Ford product); (2) 140th Manassas, Leesburg, VA. I will forever be in my wifes debt as she "insisted" that I go with Larry and the CHAS Gang to participate with Charley (even though she was in extreme pain from an unsuccessful spinal surgery and was scheduled for corrective surgery shortly). Sharing the motel room with Neal & Larry was great and the things we did together between "Reenacting/Special Meals/and all the neat places we went to see--were all "memories to last a lifetime"! Larry said it best, "We could not have been with a greater bunch of people than those that came out from California primarily to give Charliey his last hurrah"!! Charlie was so proud of us as we were the only horse-drawn artillery on Sunday as the other three (including the one Reb Battery) had gone home---and even in the extreme heat we were still driving hard to do a good artillery impression! Charleys ultimate surprise for us---four (4) original and rare CW Cannons including Ord Rifle No. 1--Wow! In my reenacting career I don't expect anything will top these memories with all the special people that made this possible. Thank God for the pictures to aid me in remembering Larry and the rest of the gang-----and fortunately the commercial video arrived (yesterday) and CHAS is well represented!

I could go on but there are no words to describe my personal loss to a very dear friend who was supportive & encouraging to me in every way!!!

Thanks for the opportunity to share with someone how very special he was to me!!

Ed Pico

Captain Larry Schneider always looked terrific on the battlefield. Mounted on Rags and in his uniform, Larry was the picture of the "man in charge." He was alert to the progress of the battle and the performance of his battery. His example off the battlfield was even more impressive. Larry was a role model in the way he enjoyed each moment, surrounded himself with people he liked and planned his life to incorporate the activities he enjoyed most. He shared his passion with all of us. It is a gift we treasure.

John Gilliland

I will never forget Larry and the leadership he exhibited during his years with CHAS.  He was very inspirational and I will always reflect back on the time we spent together as a means of reinvigorating my reenacting impression. It really warmed my heart to hear his rousing "OUTSTANDING" when given a favorable field report.

Chris Horn