DONALD ALBERT KASKI
DONALD A KASKI
36W/40
REMEMBRANCES
Remembering An American Hero
As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.
May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.
With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir
Curt Carter
In memoriam
In the year prior to his service in Vietnam, SSgt. Al Kaski attended the NCO Academy Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky, graduating at the top of his class.
He was assigned to an armor unit in Vietnam, 25 September 1968 a few months before his death.
He was killed when his APC vehicle ran over a mine while traveling north on Highway Highway 1 from Hardstand to Bridge 107. Also killed in this incident was: Cpl. Carl J. Metcalf, Jr., and two men were wounded.
Al was interred in the Masonic Cemetery, Fortuna Cemetery District, Rohnerville Road, Fortuna, California.
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In Memoriam
Al was a popular student at Fortuna High, in Fortuna, California. He was a scholar-athlete in football, basketball, track, baseball. He served as the student body president, graduating in 1963. He was under consideration and a finalist for appointment to the Air Force and Naval Academies.
After high school, he attended Humboldt State College in Arcata, California as a History and pre-law major. In his junior year at Humboldt, he attended the University of Uppsala in 1965-6 as a California State Colleges International Program student. He then transferred to the University of California at Santa Barbara as a pre-law student, leaving the program when he enlisted in the Army.
It was at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, during our Freshman year in 1963, that I met Al and became friends through our shared History classes up in Founders Hall. I remember sitting with him over cups of coffee in the old cafeteria on campus during breaks between classes. It was on one of those occasions that we both heard the shocking news of President Kennedy's death that cold November morning.
Al had a wonderful sense of humor. He was bright and intelligent, and had a good heart. He was one of the finest.
It's terribly sad to see his name on The Wall in D.C.. He was one of the best of us, and like so many, lost to us now. He was a good and decent guy. It is so clear that he would have done so much had he come home. The world is lessened by his loss. I stand in that line of so many who knew and admired him and enjoyed his humanity.
For at least this lifetime, you will not be forgotten. -DLK
Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
Where no storm or might or pain can reach you.
-- John O'Donohue
We Remember
NEVER FORGOTTEN
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."
Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.
We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you , one of the gentle heroes and patriots lost to the War in Vietnam:
Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.
From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers