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A Few Of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-26-03....Memorial Day - Remembering SSGT. Richard A. Fitts
dansangel

Posted on 05/26/2003 4:25:58 AM PDT by dansangel



A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day
Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.
A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.
On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY
If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.
We're having fun and hope you are!

~ Billie, daisyscarlett, dansangel, dutchess, Mama_Bear



Memorial Day




~Remember~

Today as we celebrate Memorial Day
It is important to remember.....
Remember that the day is more than hot dogs and hamburgers
More than picnics and fishing
More than boating and baseball
More than just a day off from work.....
Memorial Day is to remember those that served
Those that sacrificed
Those that suffered
Those that gave all
So that we may live free.


Let us all remember and give thanks.

~dansangel~







Staff Sergeant Richard A. Fitts


I wore this man's MIA bracelet while attending high school back in 1972-73. A similar faded and folded picture accompanied it, giving the man a face that I could carry in my heart. Last year during Memorial Day weekend, a fellow FReeper kindly posted the URL to the "Virtual Wall." Although the bracelet was long gone, misplaced in one of the many moves I have experienced over the past three decades, I never forgot the name that was engraved on the stainless steel: Staff Sergeant Richard A. Fitts.

I followed the posted link to the Virtual Wall and proceeded to look for that brave soldier's name. My heart skipped a beat as I found it. Then, reality sunk in. His name was listed among the killed in action. Feelings of grief for a man I never knew but carried in my heart all these years, overcame me.

Further research on my part yielded the following synopsis (taken from the Massachusetts POW/MIA website):

SSgt. Richard A. Fitts was born on February 23, 1946 in Weymouth, Mass. He entered the Army in January,1966. In Vietnam, Fitts was part of Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observation Group (MACV-SOG) which was a joint service high command unconventional warfare task force engaged in highly classified operations throughout Southeast Asia. The 5th Special Forces channeled personnel into MACV-SOG (though it was not a Special Forces group) through Special Operations Augmentation (SOA) which provided their "cover" while under secret orders to MACV- SOG. These teams performed deep penetration missions of strategic reconnaissance and interdiction missions in Laos and Cambodia which were called, depending on the country and time frame, "Shining Brass" or "Prairie Fire" missions. On November 30, 1968, Sgt. Richard A. Fitts, Sgt. Arthur E. Bader, Cpl. Gary R. LaBohn, SSgt. Klaus D. Scholz, Maj. Samuel K. Toomey, Cpl. Michael H. Mein, 1Lt. Raymond C. Stacks were passengers aboard a Vietnamese Air Force CH34 helicopter (serial #14-4653) as their team was being transported to their reconnaissance mission area in Laos. Details of their mission was classified at that time, and remains classified in early 1990. However, information received from some of the family members indicates that the mission was related to disarming an enemy munitions store.

The helicopter was flying at 4,000 feet when it was struck by 37mm anti-aircraft fire,went into a spin, crashed in a mass of flames and exploded. The helicopter crashed about 10 miles northwest of Khe Sanh, just into Laos east of Tchepone. The crash site is in heavy jungle, near a stream. From the time the aircraft was hit until the time it impacted out of view, the helicopter was under observation and no one was seen to leave the aircraft during its descent. No ground search was initiated because the location was in a denied area. Later visual search indicated that the pilot's hatch was open, and his helmet was seen 25-30 feet from the helicopter, but no survivors or bodies were seen. All the personnel aboard the aircraft, however, were not declared dead, but were declared Missing in Action, which was procedure when no proof of death existed.

When the war ended, and 591 Americans were releaesed from prison camps in Southeast Asia, not one man who had been held in Laos was released. Although the Pathet Lao stated publicly that they held "tens of tens" of Americans, no negotiations occurred which would free them at that time, nor have any occurred since.

In March 1988, the area in which the helicopter crashed was excavated by a joint Lao/ US technical team. Human remains consisting of 17 teeth and 145 bone fragments, none measuring over two inches, were recovered. The remains were returned to the U.S. Army Central Identification (CIL) in Hawaii.

On January 3, 1990, it was announced that the remains of Richard Fitts had been positively identified from the material recovered at the crash site. That identification was determined by the government's conclusion that two of the 17 teeth belonged to Fitts. Fitts' parents, after having an independent analysis conducted on the teeth, felt assured that the teeth belonged to their son, and subsequently buried them in Boston, Massachusetts. The remaining 15 teeth and 145 bone fragments were said to be unidentifiable.

Barely a month later, on February 8, 1990, the Department of Defense announced that the remainder of the crew had been positively identified and would be buried, along with the Vietnamese crew, in a mass grave in Arlington National Cemetery. Fitts' name was included on that tombstone along with the other Americans because the Pentagon believed some of the bone fragments belonged to Fitts. Thus, even though the remains were scientifically unidentifiable, the cases were closed on these individuals.

Critics of the U.S. Government's identification of the entire crew of the helicopter point to a similar incident some years ago. In 1968, unidentifiable remains attributed to a group of U.S. Marines killed near Khe Sanh on February 25, 1968 were buried in a mass grave in St. Louis. One of the deceased was identified as being Marine Sgt. Ronald Ridgeway.

Five years later, Ridgeway was released from a Vietnamese prisoner of war camp, giving rise to considerable speculation as to the validity of the positive identification of the other remains buried in St. Louis.

There are still over 2300 Americans who remain prisoner, missing, or otherwise unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Nearly 600 of them were lost in Laos. The U.S. Government, by early 1990, had received nearly 10,000 reports relating to Americans missing in Southeast Aisa. Many authorities believe there are hundreds of Americans still alive today, held captive.

In recent years, the numbers of remains returned from Vietnam and excavated in Laos has increased dramatically. Government strategists happily point to this as "progress" on the POW/MIA issue, although most of these remains are still unidentified. Indeed, many families, having had independent studies of the remains to assure accurate identi- fication, now have answers to long-awaited concerns about their loved ones. However, when remains are positively identified, the U.S. Government closes the books and the search for that missing man ends. Can we afford to close the books on an American who may be alive waiting for his country to bring him home?

How many will serve in the next war knowing they may be abandoned?






How many, indeed?


Each person reading this today, Memorial Day 2003, must make a vow:

Never must we ever allow another member of our military to serve his or her country, preserving our freedom, in the fear that they will be forgotten.

May God Bless our military members abundantly, and may He place His bloodline of protection around each and every one.

Thank-you...*ALL* of you, who haved selflessly served your country, past and present.

We Will Never Forget!









THIS WEEK'S THREADS

05-24, 05-25-03 ... The Week In Review

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping'
The guy's good, folks!
Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer




God Bless Our Military



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Daisyscarlett; Dansangel; Dutchess; Mama_Bear; and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.
~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~


We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.
Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OhioWfan........................son
mystery-ak..........son, husband
Gogrammy................grandson
Inspectorette...................son
Blessed American..........nephew
Slip18..........................nephew
anniegetyourgun...........nephew
Pippin....niece,nephew,loved one
Doug from Upland......son-in-law
weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw
Future Snake Eater..........cousin
WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson
BeforeISleep...................son
Warrior Nurse...........active duty
SK1 Thurman...........active duty
David Osborne.........active duty
fc2tomschermuly......active duty
bkwells..................active duty
LadyX....................grandson
LongCut..................active duty
Trish.......................active duty
The Mayor................niece
fawn796..................nephew


Maigrey................cousin
ladtx....................2 sons
Mama_Bear...........nephew
gator girl............husband
severa................husband
MozartLover...........nephew
LBGA........................son
SpookBrat...........nephew
Himyar.....................son
boxerblues............2 sons
the piper...................son
sheeza...............husband
kemathen7...........husband
Diver Dave................niece
deadhead................cousin
JimRobinson.....2 nephews
Armymarinemom.....3 sons
Consort...........2 daughters
Darheel..................niece
dixie sass.............nephew
BeAllYouCanBe.........son
AgThorn.............2 sons
kneezles...........son
MozartLover...........son




TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: freepers; fun; givingthanks; memorialday; military; remembering; surprises; veterans
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To: The Mayor
Good Morning, TM!
21 posted on 05/26/2003 5:07:08 AM PDT by Pippin ( I know that my Redeemer liveth!)
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To: dansangel
Good morning Angel.


22 posted on 05/26/2003 5:09:59 AM PDT by Aeronaut (This space intentionally left blank.)
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To: dansangel
The best part of being on FR is that no matter where you are, no matter where you are travelling to, you can always check in with your friends!

How right you are, I am never far from FreeRepublic!

So I'm never far from friends Thank God!

23 posted on 05/26/2003 5:10:53 AM PDT by The Mayor (I'm moving back to Buffalo.. I have a new job!)
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To: Pippin
Good Morning !
24 posted on 05/26/2003 5:12:19 AM PDT by The Mayor (I'm moving back to Buffalo.. I have a new job!)
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To: snippy_about_it; .45MAN; Billie; Pippin; MinuteGal; The Mayor; All
Snippy has put together a tremendous montage of memorial photos and music over at the Freeper Foxhole - Memorial Day May 26, 2003. Please stop by and experience what Memorial Day is all about.
25 posted on 05/26/2003 5:12:41 AM PDT by dansangel (America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
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To: Aeronaut
Good Morning, Aeronaut!
26 posted on 05/26/2003 5:12:50 AM PDT by Pippin ( I know that my Redeemer liveth!)
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To: The Mayor
So I'm never far from friends Thank God!

That's exactly how I feel! (((((The Mayor))))))

27 posted on 05/26/2003 5:13:42 AM PDT by dansangel (America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
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To: Aeronaut
Good Morning ((((((((Aeronaut))))))))))

Thank-you for the fly by. Hope you have a blessed and safe Memorial Day.
28 posted on 05/26/2003 5:14:42 AM PDT by dansangel (America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
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To: ST.LOUIE1; Billie; daisyscarlett; dansangel; dutchess; Mama_Bear
Is Daisy MIA?
29 posted on 05/26/2003 5:15:14 AM PDT by lonestar (Don't mess with Texans)
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To: Pippin
Good morning Pippin. God bless all who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
30 posted on 05/26/2003 5:17:23 AM PDT by Aeronaut (This space intentionally left blank.)
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To: dansangel
Thank you for this very moving post, dansangel!

May God bless our soldiers, each and every one.
May those who died bravely for our country, rest in peace. We are eternally grateful, and ever thankful, to all our fallen heros.


31 posted on 05/26/2003 5:17:35 AM PDT by nicmarlo
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To: lonestar; daisyscarlett
Hello ((((((((lonestar)))))))))

Our miss Daisy is enjoying retirement and travelling lands far and wide! We miss her and hope that she will check back in with us as soon as she is able.
32 posted on 05/26/2003 5:17:41 AM PDT by dansangel (America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
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To: dansangel; All
Click here to read about a beautiful tribute to our heroes, esp. Kern county family members of fallen heroes in the war on terror.
33 posted on 05/26/2003 5:18:57 AM PDT by tame (Don't blame my High School. It's the Aspartame!)
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To: nicmarlo
((((((nicmarshmallow)))))))

Oh OK, I know I'm supposed to be on my best behavior, but you know how that goes!

Thank-you for the kind words.

WE MUST NEVER FORGET!

34 posted on 05/26/2003 5:20:12 AM PDT by dansangel (America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
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To: tame
I'm so glad that there have been so many events this weekend to honor our fallen heroes. We need to keep these sentiments going all year round!
35 posted on 05/26/2003 5:22:50 AM PDT by dansangel (America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
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To: dansangel
I know I'm supposed to be on my best behavior.....


36 posted on 05/26/2003 5:23:31 AM PDT by nicmarlo
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To: nicmarlo
Hey....it's the thought that counts, right? I mean, I think I deserve some points for that!!!

:-)
37 posted on 05/26/2003 5:24:27 AM PDT by dansangel (America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
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To: dansangel
Yeah, but it's your thoughts, dansy, that's the problem! : )
38 posted on 05/26/2003 5:27:24 AM PDT by nicmarlo
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To: nicmarlo; Billie; JustAmy; ST.LOUIE1; LadyX
Oh, so now you're the "thought police?" We have "net Nannies" (who are still sleeping in this morning, thank God) and that's not enough??

:-)
39 posted on 05/26/2003 5:30:09 AM PDT by dansangel (America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
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To: Aeronaut
Amen!
40 posted on 05/26/2003 5:33:04 AM PDT by Pippin ( I know that my Redeemer liveth!)
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