Debby Carter
debby.carter@yahoo.com
Daughter
Proudly Marched
Montauk
May 30, 2011
To the Editor,
They are Dead. I’m alive.
It has been 43 years since serving in Vietnam with the First Air Cavalry Division, Air Mobile, 2nd Battalion 12th Cavalry. On Sunday I marched in the first Montauk Memorial Day parade. My marching was in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice made by three people who lost their lives while conducting aerial recognizance during an engagement with the enemy on Jan. 7, 1968.
I was supposed to go on that chopper.
Lt. Col. Bob Gregory asked if I would like to take a ride on the Charlie Charlie (command and control) chopper. I said, “Sure, I’ll get my gun.”
This was a big deal, going up with the “six” in his chopper. I was a sergeant (E5) working in the tactical operations center. Lieutenant Colonel Gregory was sort of my hero. He was an impressive man, knew his job and carried it out in the tradition of a cavalry officer.
I got my gun my hooch was only a few hundred feet from the Charlie Charlie pad. When I arrived, Colonel Gregory, Major Lawrence Malone, and Master Sgt. Richard Keefe were on board. Gregory motioned that there wasn’t any room. “Oh well, I’ll go next time,” I thought.
I guessed the new major wanted to get involved. He had just arrived in the unit. Sergeant Keefe was rotating out in two weeks. He was “short” he had my spot on the chopper. I was disappointed. I really would have liked to have gone up with the six, but there would be other times.
I held onto my helmet and waved as they lifted off. I walked down the rutted path past a clump of trees. There was a Jeep on the side with its radio on. The Charlie Charlie was down. It had been seen receiving 50-caliber fire and falling into the treeline with smoke.
We found out about a week later that it had crashed and burned, and all aboard lost their lives. We couldn’t get to it initially because the area was held by the North Vietnamese Army.
I’m alive. They and the crew of the chopper are dead.
This Sunday morning I put the three names on strips of leather and secured them to a bamboo pole with an American flag at the top. I put my Vietnam First Cavalry hat on and went to the parade and proudly marched, in their memory.
For the first time in 43 years, as I walked along the parade route in Montauk, people were clapping, and saying, “Thanks for your service!” I was finally getting some recognition. I quietly cried, we’re all, finally, getting some recognition.
TOM KACZMAREK
Jun 9, 2011 |
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Garnet Jenkins
garijen@bresnan.net
Grand Junction Co
~ In Humble Tribute To A Fallen 1st Cav. Hero ~
In Remembrance of your Sacrifice and with a Multitude of Thanks for your Courage and your years of Service and Dedication to our Country and for Freedom. Rest in Peace MSgt Richard Carlysle Keefe and know that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. My brother, Sgt. David Dickinson is a young 1st Cav Ranger, who also made the Supreme Sacrifice in Vietnam in 1967.....NEVER MY SOUL, STILL THE SONG, OF WOUNDED HEARTS, THEIR LOVED ONE GONE.....OF HIM WHO GAVE HIS LIFE, FOR ME.....THAT I MIGHT LIVE, IN LIBERTY.
May 24, 2009 |
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davy b
davybaker@suddenlink.net
another brother
Kilgore, Tx.
Remembrance
Honoring the memory, of a patriot and hero. Thank you, for your dedication, courage and years, of service to our nation. May God bless and keep you, hold you in His loving arms and comfort, your family and friends. 'TO LIVE, IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE, YOU LEAVE BEHIND, IS NEVER TO DIE.' ~Robert Orr~ Rest in peace, Richard Carlysle Keefe, YOU, ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!!!
Feb 15, 2009 |
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Debby Carter
decpeaches@yahoo.com
daughter
Richard C. Keefe memorial website
Memorial Webpage to My Dad Use the following links: page 1 http://www.walldads.org/Keefe.html page 2 http://www.walldads.org/Keefe2.html
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 |
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Debby Carter
bdskcar@lcc.net
Daughter
I would like to hear from someone who knew my dad. You can reach me through the message center of http://thewall-usa.com. A proud daughter, Debby
Friday, April 02, 1999 |
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Manuel Pino Jr Bco 2/8th 1st Cav 68-69
mpjr54@mn.com
Fellow Cav Brother
REFLECTIONS FROM THE MOVING WALL". I am a monument to a black period in this countries history.I am the Vietnam wall.,composed to two angled granite walls,inscribed with the names of fifty eight thousand,one hundred thirty four American men and women who died in hell (that was Vietnam) Many people come to see me. strangely they come mostly in silence-old people,young people,children,mothers,fathers,widows,and veterans.all for reasons of their own.they bring gifts,pictures,letters,flowers,poems and cigarettes.the letters speak of grief and loneliness and regret.they ask forgiveness.they are an out pouring of pain.the people softly touch names on my face.they water my grass with tears.then they leave in silence and I hope in peace.for I am more than two stone walls.I am a thank you from a nation that forgot.I am a long past due apology.I am healing for wounds too long left untended.I am a tribute paid to fallen warriors.I AM THE VIETNAM WALL. "America has forgotten the wars.will she remember her warriors"? You may be gone , BUT YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN.
Sunday, April 10, 2005 |
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Lil Abrams
lilystoy@idirect.com
Toronto, Canada
You would be so Proud
I didn't know you Sir, but I had the distinct pleasure of meeting your son Rod and daughter Debby last week in Washington for the Fathers Day Reunion at the Vietnam Memorial. They are two lovely people and you would have been so very proud of them. Semper Fi With Respect, Lil Abrams
Friday, June 23, 2000 |
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