Phantom Blooper
10-17-03, 10:39 PM
Sgt. Thomas C. Keown: A Marine, a Peacekeeper, and a PRP Hero
By D. M. Stapp
"The Sunday before, he wrote us from Turkey. He was on liberty, as they say." Mary A. Cobble’s voice shook as she spoke of her son’s last letters to the family. "Not only did he write me, but his brothers and aunts as well. He wanted us know that he was thinking of us and that he had an unexplainable urge to let all of us know that he loved us. He also said that the peacekeeping mission must have been working, and that someone in the USA must think so too, because this was the first liberty they had since they arrived in Beirut."
The following Sunday, October 23, 1983, an explosives laden truck brought death and destruction to Marine Sgt. Thomas Clinton Keown, who along with fellow Marines were in Lebanon as Peacekeepers. Keown and 240 young Marines, along with others, who died days afterwards because of their injuries, became a martyr for peace.
November 1st 1983, Sergeant Keown’s body was the first of the five Kentuckians who died, to be returned for interment at the family cemetery in Shepherdsville, Kentucky.
Tommy, as he was better known as, grew up in the Pleasure Ridge Park area. Along with his mother, Mary A. Cobble who now lives in Shepherdsville, there are friends and neighbors in PRP that remember the boy as a kind, humble person. An image of Tommy came to mind, Mary said, of him and his green athletic shoes. "He wore them for the longest time," she paused at the bittersweet memory and continued after taking a deep breath. "Even though Converse was the shoe his friends preferred, Tommy knew that money was scarce and he never asked for them. That’s how thoughtful he was toward everyone."
On that day, our nation’s conscience was awakened on a large scale as commemoration ceremonies began a year later to honor the sacrifices made by the peacekeepers. The gravity surrounding that terrorist act in Beirut was augmented when the USA brought suit against the Iranian government two years ago. The ruling from that litigation was issued on May 30,2003, after evidence presented to our government indicated that Iran was involved with the Beirut bombing. The Washington Judge ruled that Iran would be held accountable for the deaths of the troops housed in the building at the Beirut airport.
On Friday, October 21st, 2003 a candle light vigil will begin a 20th anniversary commemoration, at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, N. C. During the vigil the names of those killed during that peacekeeping mission will be read. Mary Cobble will be there, and she will, for the 2nd time visit the mess hall that was named in honor of her son, Sgt. Thomas C. Keown. Keown, who was a company cook, was preparing to apply for electronics school at Camp LeJeune, after his peacekeeping tour had ended.
Throughout the years after Beirut, family and friends are still remembering the victims of the attack, as well as others who have died during peacekeeping efforts. Recognition of their sacrifice is not confined to the military. Through the ongoing project, which included compiling the names of peacekeepers that lost their lives trying to achieve and keep the peace since the early 20th century, Louisville now has a monument similar to the Vietnam wall in Washington. November 11, 2002 was the dedication date of the monument, and it’s located on River Road, across from Cox’s Park. "Such a beautiful and moving tribute," Sgt. Keown’s mother said, "To all the men and women who were killed during peace time." Also, she told this reporter, that a Purple Heart stamp was issued on May 30, 2003, you can ask for it at your post office and it was issued the same day that the Washington, DC judge made his ruling concerning Iran’s accountability for it’s part in the Beirut bombing. If you would like to contact the family of Sgt. Thomas C. Keown you can send a message to them through The Southwest Reporters e-mail address, or contact:
Mary A. Cobble, 338 Ash Hollow Road, Shepherdsville, KY 40165
Semper Fidelis
"The First Duty is to Remember"
By D. M. Stapp
"The Sunday before, he wrote us from Turkey. He was on liberty, as they say." Mary A. Cobble’s voice shook as she spoke of her son’s last letters to the family. "Not only did he write me, but his brothers and aunts as well. He wanted us know that he was thinking of us and that he had an unexplainable urge to let all of us know that he loved us. He also said that the peacekeeping mission must have been working, and that someone in the USA must think so too, because this was the first liberty they had since they arrived in Beirut."
The following Sunday, October 23, 1983, an explosives laden truck brought death and destruction to Marine Sgt. Thomas Clinton Keown, who along with fellow Marines were in Lebanon as Peacekeepers. Keown and 240 young Marines, along with others, who died days afterwards because of their injuries, became a martyr for peace.
November 1st 1983, Sergeant Keown’s body was the first of the five Kentuckians who died, to be returned for interment at the family cemetery in Shepherdsville, Kentucky.
Tommy, as he was better known as, grew up in the Pleasure Ridge Park area. Along with his mother, Mary A. Cobble who now lives in Shepherdsville, there are friends and neighbors in PRP that remember the boy as a kind, humble person. An image of Tommy came to mind, Mary said, of him and his green athletic shoes. "He wore them for the longest time," she paused at the bittersweet memory and continued after taking a deep breath. "Even though Converse was the shoe his friends preferred, Tommy knew that money was scarce and he never asked for them. That’s how thoughtful he was toward everyone."
On that day, our nation’s conscience was awakened on a large scale as commemoration ceremonies began a year later to honor the sacrifices made by the peacekeepers. The gravity surrounding that terrorist act in Beirut was augmented when the USA brought suit against the Iranian government two years ago. The ruling from that litigation was issued on May 30,2003, after evidence presented to our government indicated that Iran was involved with the Beirut bombing. The Washington Judge ruled that Iran would be held accountable for the deaths of the troops housed in the building at the Beirut airport.
On Friday, October 21st, 2003 a candle light vigil will begin a 20th anniversary commemoration, at Camp LeJeune in Jacksonville, N. C. During the vigil the names of those killed during that peacekeeping mission will be read. Mary Cobble will be there, and she will, for the 2nd time visit the mess hall that was named in honor of her son, Sgt. Thomas C. Keown. Keown, who was a company cook, was preparing to apply for electronics school at Camp LeJeune, after his peacekeeping tour had ended.
Throughout the years after Beirut, family and friends are still remembering the victims of the attack, as well as others who have died during peacekeeping efforts. Recognition of their sacrifice is not confined to the military. Through the ongoing project, which included compiling the names of peacekeepers that lost their lives trying to achieve and keep the peace since the early 20th century, Louisville now has a monument similar to the Vietnam wall in Washington. November 11, 2002 was the dedication date of the monument, and it’s located on River Road, across from Cox’s Park. "Such a beautiful and moving tribute," Sgt. Keown’s mother said, "To all the men and women who were killed during peace time." Also, she told this reporter, that a Purple Heart stamp was issued on May 30, 2003, you can ask for it at your post office and it was issued the same day that the Washington, DC judge made his ruling concerning Iran’s accountability for it’s part in the Beirut bombing. If you would like to contact the family of Sgt. Thomas C. Keown you can send a message to them through The Southwest Reporters e-mail address, or contact:
Mary A. Cobble, 338 Ash Hollow Road, Shepherdsville, KY 40165
Semper Fidelis
"The First Duty is to Remember"