RU-8D Dedication at Ft. Meade
The only word that describes what happened today
is: OUTSTANDING. NSA and INSCOM did a fantastic job in conducting the
ceremony this morning.
A chaplain from the 704th MI Bde gave a convocation. LTG Minihan, USAF,
DIRNSA/CSS spoke and mentioned ASA several times. He was followed by LTG
Claudia Kennedy, USA DCSINT, who was followed by MG Thomas, CG INSCOM.
All spoke very highly of "The Silent Warriors" who flew alone, unarmed
and unafraid to accomplish missions that were important to US national
interests. Many family members of the thirteen KIA were there including
Mike Marker's widow and son, the sister of Harold Algaard and the
brother of Ron Hentz, all KIA/BNR from Left Jab. Relatives from the
families of the two Left Bank crashes were also there.
Plaques were unveiled that describe the RU-8D and name the thirteen KIA.
The ceremony ended with a flyby of an RC-12G CRAZYHORSE aircraft
belonging to the 138th MI Co (AE) USAR, the lineal descendant of the
138th RR Co of Vietnam. The particular RU-8D aircraft dedicated today
served with the 138th both in Vietnam and in the Reserves at Orlando, FL
(still the home of the 138th).
The RC-12G was flown by a Richard Anderson who served with the 138th in
Vietnam (where he knew Mike Marker and Harold Algaard) as well as in
Florida, later. Mr. Anderson also flew the RU-8D to Ft Eustis in 1980
where it sat until it was moved to Ft. Meade.
An honor guard from the 704th fired a salute to honor the deceased and a
band played Taps to conclude the ceremony.
The event was taped and photographed professionally by NSA technicians.
I suspect that we will be able to purchase tapes in the future at a
nominal cost.
There was a brief reception afterwards where COL Michael Blythe, CO of
the 704th thanked all that helped in the project. MG Thomas present the
family members with a personally dedicated copy of a MI History Fact
Book.
Sakk Frankenfield, Don Lewis and Steve Weinstein (among many others)
were there. Personnel representing 17 different ASA units from Vietnam
showed up in spite of the truly lousy weather.