The Black Republican

The great picture Rick posted reminded me that I too have a picture that is appropriate for this day.

The gravestone there in the foreground is that of my Uncle Buddy; Kenneth Richard Weber. From the time I was old enough to understand history, and the importance of the heroes that protect this country in war and peace, my Uncle Buddy was my personal hero - my John Wayne, my Audie Murphy.

He flew P51s in the Philippines in WWII as well as in Korea, where he was shot down and spent over 3 years as a POW. As for what he actually did in VIetnam, I haven't been able to find out anything definitive. All I know is that when I was seven or eight (1968/69) his Air Force footlocker - with most of his personal affects, DD214, and stacks of other official looking documents - was sent to our house for safe keeping, along with a brief note saying that he was ok, to not let anyone know that we had this, and that if we ever got word that had been killed that we were to destroy everything in there.

My mother forbade me to go into that footlocker - which naturally meant that I was in there every chance I got. In there was an empty pistol holster (I think my Mom had the weapon stashed somewhere, though I never found out where) and several empty ammo pouches, his dress and battle dress uniforms, rank insignia, patches and other uniform attachments. There was also several small carved African animals - elephants, giraffes, rhinos, etc. - which to an eight year old were like gems from a treasure chest. Had I known then, however, what I know now I think that the real treasure was probably contained in the stacks of military papers I had to dig through to find those figurines.

I know for a fact that Uncle Buddy spent a lot of time in Laos. Given that, and having seen the Discovery Channel documentary on The Ravens, and having read about the original Air America operations there, I am fairly certain that he was somehow involved with one or both of those operations. You see, officially, Uncle Buddy retired from the Air Force in 1959 - before our official involvement in Vietnam. And yet Vietnam is clearly listed as a service location on his headstone.

My Uncle Buddy and his wife were visiting us for Thanksgiving in 1973. the day after he arrived, the phone rang and I answered. The man on the other end asked for my Uncle. My memory is a bit foggy on this, but I'm pretty sure he said a rank - Colonal Kenneth Weber. He left that night and soon was on a flight to Rome, Italy. Two days later he was dead. Only years after this did I realize the significance of the rank. Rank? In 1973? For a man who had supposedly retired in 1959.

My Uncle received a full military funeral, with the honor and respect that The Old Guard gives to all their charges. GIven the affiliation of both The Ravens and Air America, It may also be that one of these stars may be in his memory. Who knows? Perhaps some old soldier reading this will recognize the name and help to shed a bit more light on my Uncle's service. But even if that does not happen, my Uncle Buddy is still and will always be my hero, as are all of those who, like him, stood watch in the dark places, walked a wall in the dead of night, and fought the battles that would have paralyzed most of us with fear... and those who do the same today. I always thought myself lucky to have those of the Greatest Generation to teach me about duty, honor, and loyalty. How much luckier am I now - are we all - that we have another Greatest Generation standing guard over us today!

To all of you, past and present, Thank you.