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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
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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?
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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!
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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
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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 nations leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.
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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.
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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
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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
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: freepers; fun; givingthanks; memorialday; military; remembering; surprises; veterans
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To: dansangel
Great Memorial profile today dansangel. Thank You, dansangel. Very touching, tears in my eyes. It is pouring raining, I am going to the Memorial Day parade to honor our heros. God Bless Staff Sergeant Richard A. Fitts and all those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. I will never forget.
Colleen
81
posted on
05/26/2003 6:49:32 AM PDT
by
deadhead
(God Bless Our Troops and Veterans)
To: deadhead
Hi, Colleen!
82
posted on
05/26/2003 6:51:03 AM PDT
by
Pippin
( I know that my Redeemer liveth!)
To: Dubya; dansangel; Pippin; Mo1; MeeknMing; Billie; dutchess; FreeTheHostages; Jim Robinson; Flyer; ..
To: deadhead
((((((((Colleen))))))))))
I hope the weather gets better for you. However, I believe it is God shedding tears for our fallen heroes, as well.
Thank-you for your half-mast tribute. And may God bless *you* for refusing to forget!
84
posted on
05/26/2003 6:53:16 AM PDT
by
dansangel
(America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
To: Aquamarine
Oh Aqua....I have chills. Excellent midi rendition...."Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.....Glory, glory Hallelujah....His Truth is Marching ON!"
Amen.
85
posted on
05/26/2003 6:55:44 AM PDT
by
dansangel
(America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
To: Pippin
Next time I'll follow my own instincts and look at movies that interest me, good CLEAN movies, although, such creatures seem to be harder to find these days.That would be the prudent thing to do. People I work with think I'm "odd" because I have no idea what they're talking about when they are raving about the latest and greatest offering from Hollywierd.
But, I have always enjoyed being "different" - LOL!!
86
posted on
05/26/2003 6:58:14 AM PDT
by
dansangel
(America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
To: dansangel
LOL!
It took me awhile to realize that being different wasn't so bad!
I enjoy being me and having my own likes and tastes even if I couldn't follow the conversations of others because I would not have the same interests as they did.
87
posted on
05/26/2003 7:11:59 AM PDT
by
Pippin
( I know that my Redeemer liveth!)
To: Aquamarine
Love that one. Goes stright to my heart.
88
posted on
05/26/2003 7:17:00 AM PDT
by
Dubya
(Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
To: dansangel
Good morning, dansangel...thanks for this day's thread.
Good day to all our Hostesses and all my FRiends.
A special day, it is.
89
posted on
05/26/2003 7:17:49 AM PDT
by
jwfiv
To: All
![](http://www.marinemail.com/images/Flags/xflags2.jpg)
You earned the title "Marine" upon graduation from recruit training.
It wasn't willed to you; it isn't a gift. It is not a government subsidy.
Few can claim the title; no one may take it away.
It is yours forever.
Tom Bartlett, Leatherneck Magazine
90
posted on
05/26/2003 7:20:13 AM PDT
by
Dubya
(Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
To: jwfiv
Hi, JW!
Yes, this is a special day!
But I believe every day should be memorial day because we sdhould always be mindful for our everyday freedoms and for the priviledge of living in such a great country and ti thank those who made it possible. As Billy Ray Cyrus quotes "All gave some, Some gave all"
91
posted on
05/26/2003 7:21:41 AM PDT
by
Pippin
( I know that my Redeemer liveth!)
To: All
Military ABC's Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, FoxTrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliet, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November,
Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.
92
posted on
05/26/2003 7:24:59 AM PDT
by
Dubya
(Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
To: Pippin
I enjoy being me and having my own likes and tastes even if I couldn't follow the conversations of others because I would not have the same interests as they did.See? That's what makes you uniquely *you.*
Not one of the sheeple masses. It's so much better, isn't it?
93
posted on
05/26/2003 7:30:31 AM PDT
by
dansangel
(America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
To: jwfiv
((((((((jwfiv))))))))
Thank-you for the very appropriate graphic. It certainly *is* a special day.
We must NEVER FORGET!
Wishing you an excellent day, no matter what you end up doing!
94
posted on
05/26/2003 7:31:56 AM PDT
by
dansangel
(America - love it, support it or LEAVE it!)
To: Pippin
Good morning, Pippin...yes, I agree...each day should be our Memorial Day.
I hope this one is extra good and gracious for our Hobbit-friend...)
95
posted on
05/26/2003 7:32:39 AM PDT
by
jwfiv
To: dansangel; Pippin
"I believe it is God shedding tears for our fallen heroes, as well."I feel exactly the same way. Actually, I don't mind the rain all that much.
Hi Pippin :-)
Have to get ready, bringing Lucy with me. Lucy has her stylish patriotic bandana. I have my huge umbrella, now we are ready to stand proud and remember our fallen. Meeting friends in town.
96
posted on
05/26/2003 7:32:47 AM PDT
by
deadhead
(God Bless Our Troops and Veterans)
To: All
![](http://images.chron.com/content/news/photos/03/05/26/memorial/photo2.jpg)
Jane Carville bows her head in prayer during a Memorial Day weekend service at St. Stanislaus Cemetery Sunday, in Whitesboro, NY. Carville is the Director of the Department of New York, Polish League of American Veterans Ladies Auxiliary.
97
posted on
05/26/2003 7:53:09 AM PDT
by
Dubya
(Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
To: dansangel
Good morning dansy. What a moving tribute today. Last year was the first that my 80 year old dad participated in a ceremony through his association. There were veterans of all ages including many WWII men and women in their uniforms. It was so very moving. Thanks for sharing this with us.
98
posted on
05/26/2003 7:58:26 AM PDT
by
dutchess
(God bless our military past and present...)
To: All
![](http://images.chron.com/content/news/photos/03/05/26/memorial/photo4.jpg)
"Big" Steve Hammit, a biker from Sacramento, Calif., pays his respects to a high school friend, who died in during the Vietnam War, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington Sunday. Thousands of bikers from across the nation paid tribute to prisoners of war and missing in action during the16th Annual Rolling Thunder Memorial Day celebrations.
99
posted on
05/26/2003 7:59:25 AM PDT
by
Dubya
(Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
To: All
![](http://images.chron.com/content/news/photos/03/05/26/memorial/photo7.jpg)
Geraldine Embry, of Boston, visits the gravesite of her father Curtis Embry, World War II veteran, at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Boston, Sunday.
100
posted on
05/26/2003 8:01:33 AM PDT
by
Dubya
(Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,but by me)
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