[keat]

[Ronald_Magnus]

Gone but not forgotten. Thanks.

[dp0622]

This was 9 days after I was born. Feels so long ago but not to those whom he left behind. And he had 5 children so young. he gave everything for his country. he deserves to be remembered by all,

[Nifster]

I may be assuming too much but I am going to anyway....was this your Dad?

I thank you for his service and sacrifice. I also thank you and your family for having to lose someone in service to our country.

Some gave all.....

[OldSmaj]

This hero, and many, many more, are the reason we observe a Memorial Day holiday.

To him, and all the others, I offer my prayers and a heartfelt "thank you".

May they rest in peace.

(An aside...I noted your screen name and the last name of the hero...how are you related...brother, son?)

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

I’m certain he is so proud of you! May his memory never be forgotten.

[SgtBob]

Semper Fi to yer Dad, keat...and to you and the rest of your family. Please pass my regards.

That said, Lieutenant Keating’s photo reminds me of a young PFCBob;-)

Enjoy his memory, and tilt one back for him, as I will!

[jazusamo]

Many thanks for posting this in honor of your Dad, keat.

Those were difficult times in our country but the Patriots came forward and served, as did your Dad.

Semper Fi!

[Cry if I Wanna]

Semper Fi.

[skeeter]

The Bay Area's own.

We're proud of your dad. Thanks.

[South40]

May the soul of this Hero rest in peace beneath a green carpet of grass in a Nation he helped to keep free.

[rabidralph]

Thanks for posting. God bless you and your family. I appreciate your father’s sacrifice for our nation.

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

Our regrets for your loss and thanks for his service.

[Boonie]

Just look up...The brightest star you see is that proud dad looking down and beaming at you and your siblings...

Rest in peace, Marine.......

[robowombat]

I would sincerely suggest that you write a biography of your father even if it has to be self published and then distribute copies to relatives and to libraries at all Marine Corps posts and stations at least in CONUS. Without such a document your father's memory will vanish in a few decades and he will be another of these melancholy footnotes in some history either of Force Recon or Marine operations. The Army official histories are studded with these small footnotes noting a sergeant or lieutenant was awarded (often posthumously) the DSC for some engagement in Europe or the pacific or Korea. These names are hauntingly ghostly as the identities flit past.

[Huaynero]

Your Dad’s death brings to mind another Father lost during a Memorial Day period.
On 02 June 1967 while commanding F/2/5 during Operation Union II, Captain James A. Graham was KIA while defending a wounded Marine during a prolonged engagement.

Semper Fidelis

[RouxStir]

Thanks to your family for the sacrifices that you and your father made for our country. I hope that you are able to be together to reminisce over the time that you did have with your dad.

My family does this every Christmas since my father is gone. My sister found an old cassette tape in the attic that had been left in a recorder (must have been a Christmas gift). The recorder had been left on recording for two hours during Christmas dinner in 1968 and captured the voices and thoughts of many who are long gone and children who have grown old. We play the recording while we are setting up for dinner. We cry and laugh...it’s just like Dad is there with us. The best part is my fathers’ ad lib blessing of the meal...he still brings a smile to our faces over 40 years later.

[rrrod]

Semper Fi

[mabarker1]

Condolences and Thank You to Your Family and Father for His Service.

I don’t know if You watch NASCAR or not but join us if you like http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3289338/posts

[Auntie Mame]

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.

George S. Patton

[oh8eleven]

Maj. Keating was serving with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
I was USMC artillery (3rd Marine Div) up on the DMZ during the same time your father served. He was closer to Hue City than the DMZ. Our area was covered by 3rd Recon.
For most of my tour we were surrounded by NVA who, when not hiding, were always planning/trying to overrun our fire bases. They never did - thanks to men just like your dad.
It was due to the perseverance, professionalism and raw guts of recon Marines like your dad that "saved my bacon" more than a few times.
I'm sure you're very proud of your father and rightly so. Please know that we - his brother Marines - will never forget him.
Semper Fi ...