thedrifter
06-06-07, 08:30 AM
Memory still sharp of a brother lost
Donna Teresa Homefront Journal
Monterey County Herald
Article Last Updated:
The year was 1967, the Summer of Love.
While many were in a celebration of love, flowers and peace, a young Marine corporal, Danny Joe Keith, lost his life on June 2, 1967, in Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam. Danny served with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines.
He was born in the Cherokee Nation Push Ma Ta Ha, Okla., and eventually moved to Salinas in 1957 with his family. Danny volunteered and joined the Marines. Call it fate or destiny; he was going to be a Marine.
According to his brother, David Keith, also a Vietnam veteran, it was his desire to wear a Marine uniform.
"He always had a wish to be a Marine as long as I knew him," Keith said. "We used to have long talks in the night. His vision quest was to be as thunder and lightning atop a rocky mountain to bring hellfire upon the evils of this world.
"He was on Hill 881 North when he was seriously injured on Mother's Day, May 14, 1967. We received the terrible news in a telegram that he had been wounded and was being transferred to a hospital ship 'Sanctuary' and on June 2, 1967, we received another telegram that he had passed away. It destroyed me. I walked around in a fog of alcohol and drugs for several years fighting anyone that said anything about the war, good or bad. It broke me mentally, and for some time it was like half of me was missing, and I am still not over it."
The '60s was a complicated time. The war was divisive and remains today, 40 years later, an open wound to many families and veterans who served.
"It just takes time for the heart to heal, if it ever does," says Keith.
What does he miss most about his brother?
"I never quit thinking about what kind of person he would be today and what would we be doing together. I loved him as much as I love my own life. If I could change things, I would be the one gone. He was a Marine through and through and I loved him. He was my best friend. I miss his laughter and his smile and most of all his love."
Memories of life before Vietnam come back to Keith as if it were yesterday.
"He loved to rebuild boats and cars. He worked at 'Rapid Harvest' and attended Salinas High School. He loved children. When he was in Vietnam, he went to an orphanage to try and help children who where orphans from the war and sent home several pictures of them.
"Elvis Presley was his favorite. I think he thought he was Elvis at times, because he loved rock and roll."
If there are any more poignant words to describe Danny Joe Keith, his brother says it with admiration: "He loved his country and was willing to give his life for it. He was a gift from God. I was his best man at his wedding and he extended, to come home and marry his high school sweetheart, but he knew somehow, he wasn't going to come home after going back."
Cpl. Keith is located on Panel 21E; Row 35 at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.
David Keith saw his dream come true when he helped dedicate the new Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Salinas on Memorial Day. An American Indian group played a ritual drum song before the dedication. A spirit of brotherhood flowed in abundance.
However, I think a message was reserved for two special people. I think that message goes something like this "Thank you, Dave, for not forgetting me and my other brothers."
Donna Teresa can be reached at donnateresa@sbcglobal.net
Ellie
Donna Teresa Homefront Journal
Monterey County Herald
Article Last Updated:
The year was 1967, the Summer of Love.
While many were in a celebration of love, flowers and peace, a young Marine corporal, Danny Joe Keith, lost his life on June 2, 1967, in Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam. Danny served with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Marines.
He was born in the Cherokee Nation Push Ma Ta Ha, Okla., and eventually moved to Salinas in 1957 with his family. Danny volunteered and joined the Marines. Call it fate or destiny; he was going to be a Marine.
According to his brother, David Keith, also a Vietnam veteran, it was his desire to wear a Marine uniform.
"He always had a wish to be a Marine as long as I knew him," Keith said. "We used to have long talks in the night. His vision quest was to be as thunder and lightning atop a rocky mountain to bring hellfire upon the evils of this world.
"He was on Hill 881 North when he was seriously injured on Mother's Day, May 14, 1967. We received the terrible news in a telegram that he had been wounded and was being transferred to a hospital ship 'Sanctuary' and on June 2, 1967, we received another telegram that he had passed away. It destroyed me. I walked around in a fog of alcohol and drugs for several years fighting anyone that said anything about the war, good or bad. It broke me mentally, and for some time it was like half of me was missing, and I am still not over it."
The '60s was a complicated time. The war was divisive and remains today, 40 years later, an open wound to many families and veterans who served.
"It just takes time for the heart to heal, if it ever does," says Keith.
What does he miss most about his brother?
"I never quit thinking about what kind of person he would be today and what would we be doing together. I loved him as much as I love my own life. If I could change things, I would be the one gone. He was a Marine through and through and I loved him. He was my best friend. I miss his laughter and his smile and most of all his love."
Memories of life before Vietnam come back to Keith as if it were yesterday.
"He loved to rebuild boats and cars. He worked at 'Rapid Harvest' and attended Salinas High School. He loved children. When he was in Vietnam, he went to an orphanage to try and help children who where orphans from the war and sent home several pictures of them.
"Elvis Presley was his favorite. I think he thought he was Elvis at times, because he loved rock and roll."
If there are any more poignant words to describe Danny Joe Keith, his brother says it with admiration: "He loved his country and was willing to give his life for it. He was a gift from God. I was his best man at his wedding and he extended, to come home and marry his high school sweetheart, but he knew somehow, he wasn't going to come home after going back."
Cpl. Keith is located on Panel 21E; Row 35 at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.
David Keith saw his dream come true when he helped dedicate the new Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Salinas on Memorial Day. An American Indian group played a ritual drum song before the dedication. A spirit of brotherhood flowed in abundance.
However, I think a message was reserved for two special people. I think that message goes something like this "Thank you, Dave, for not forgetting me and my other brothers."
Donna Teresa can be reached at donnateresa@sbcglobal.net
Ellie