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

dansangel

[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

[Pippin]

Howdy, Cobby!

I thought I missed you, but you came back! :O)

[Aquamarine]

So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend...54 years is a long time.

[JustAmy]

That cemetery has an Avenue of Flags every Memorial Day. I think they put up 1500 large flags to line the streets. Jim was going to try to get there today. If he posts a thread, I will ping you. If I can find last year's thread, I will post a link.

We will never forget.

[dansangel]

It's a very small country and there's a lot crammed into it. You're always welcome.

Thank-you. I'll have to figure out a way to tolerate such a long plane trip. I hear it's something like 20 hours. The longest I was ever on a plane was on a trip to Hawaii 15 years ago. I thought I would go crazy! I'm not one to sit still for very long. :-)

The reverse holds true for .45MAN and I - please let us know if you ever come here. We would love to be your tour guides/contacts here in the US.

[WVNan]

Hi Pip. I had a supper break. I'll tell you a funny true story. My grandfather used to tell me that his father fought in the Civil War. I was so proud of that fact. I grew up being so steeped in my Southern Heritage and the fact that my great-grandfather was a Rebel soldier. Well, the years went by and I married Jack who is a (gasp) Yankee. I took him to visit my grandparents. I was pontificating to my new husband all about my "Southern Heritage", and encouraged my grandfather to relate how his dad had run away to join the army when he was just 16. Then my smart aleck husband piped up and asked, "Pa, which side did he fight on?" And my beloved Pa answered sheepishly, "the Union." Oh the shame of it all. Jack has never let me live that down.

[dansangel]

Dansy, I was lurking and the posts I read brought tears, Everyone had such moving things to post

It has been a nice day, Pippin. I wish that we could celebrate our fallen heroes like this every day of the year!

I always find it interesting to hear about people who had relatives in the civil war. I didn't have any ancestors in the US until the 1920's when my grandparents from both sides came to this country from Italy. How lucky for me that they were courageous enough to do that!

I often wonder what life would have been like for me growing up in Italy.

[JustAmy]

President George W. Bush gives a Memorial Day speech at the Normandy American Cemetery at Normandy Beach in France on May 27, 2002.
White House photo by Paul Morse.

I believe this is still timely.

[dansangel]

My GGGGGrandfather died during the Revolution.

Wow! As I just said to Pippin, it's so interesting to hear people relate stories about ancestors from the Civil War and beyond in US history.

My relatives have been in the US for less than a century. I'm so happy they decided to come here!

[dansangel]

*Excellent* photo - of course it is timely. I am so proud of our president!

[WVNan]

Well, HOORAY for your parents! We surely are happy they decided to come to America. What would the Finest do without our resident angel?

[JustAmy]

My husband's parents came from Italy. My MIL in 1906 and my FIL in the early 1920's. Have you checked out the Ellis Island records for the manifests for your ancestors. Hubby's mother is there but his father did not come thru Ellis Island.

[dansangel]

Actually, it was my grandparents - thank-you! I keep teasing my husband telling him if it weren't for their courage I could be stomping grapes back in the homeland - LOL!! :-)

[Pippin]

A funny thing about my great great grandfather being a Union Soldier,was, that my dad was so proud of being from Tennessee and even took to flying the Confederate flag that when I told him what I found out he wouldn't beleave me. Isn't it funny how we assume things based on geography among other things.

[dansangel]

I found the manifests for my maternal Grandmother and paternal grandfather, both coming here during the 1920's. I think that was a big time for Italians to come over. My maternal grandfather came through Toronto because he had relatives there.

.45MAN's grandfather came from Germany. Was able to find the manifest for him - it was during the 1890's - wow.

[Pippin]

I have a feeling that you would have come to the US at the first possible moment.

Although I thought Italy was so beautiful. I went there back in '94 on a trip with my church. They land was beautiful and the people were so wonderful! :O)

But you'd still come to the US because Italy desn't have what we've got here! That's freedom!

[TexasCowboy]

"If he posts a thread, I will ping you. If I can find last year's thread, I will post a link."

Thanks, Amy, but I'll have to warn you that I'll probably steal any pictures like I just stole that one! LOL!

To All:
There's a patriotic fervor in this country now that I've never seen, and I'm 63 years old.
Nowhere is it more in evidence than right here.
I'm sure it swells the hearts of old vets like me everywhere.
You haven't forgotten.
I thank all of you for all of them.

[dansangel]

But you'd still come to the US because Italy desn't have what we've got here! That's freedom!

You are so right...I'd probably come over come heck or highwater.

Then I would have to learn to speak English, just like my grandparents did. I'll bet that was very difficult for them!

[dansangel]

I'm sure it swells the hearts of old vets like me everywhere.

The thanks belong to us to give to you.

It's because of people like you that we enjoy the freedoms that we have.

I am eternally grateful, (((((((Cobbie))))))

[Pippin]

Hi, Amy!

I have an interesting problem on my mom's side.

Her ancesters came over to the US from Bavaria in the early 1800's and settled in Pennslyvanmia and Minnesote (mostly Minnesota) but in 1903 my great grandfather took his family (including my grandfather) into Saskatchewan, Canada and settled there. My grandfather met and married a fellow American from Minnesota and settled in Northern Saskatchewan and raised ten children (the youngest was my mom) My mom married an American citizen and came to the US were me andf my siblings were born. So, I wanna know am I a first generation American on my mom's side or sixth generation American? That's so confusing (although I don't dwell on it much)

[TexasCowboy]

"I thought I missed you, but you came back! :O)"

I had to come back to say, "Hi", to you Pip!
It's always good to see you!