Hero to be Laid to Rest
On 06 October, 2003, at 1300 hours, the remains of United States Coast Guard Lt. Jack Columbus Rittichier will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Jack was the first Coast Guardsman killed in action in Vietnam, and the only one who remained unaccounted for after the war's end. The crash site of the Jolly Green 23 was discovered on 09 November 02, and the remains of the four crew members were repatriated on 14 Feb 03; positive ID was confirmed to Rittichier's brother (Dave) on 11 August 03.
Maggie and Dave Rittichier are allowing the funeral to be an open one, and would very much like to see a large crowd present. If you are able to make it, please attend the funeral. Jack will be buried at Coast Guard Hill, in an area normally reserved for the top officials; a Commandant gave up his spot for Jack. Information about and photos of Jack can be found at the URL below. If you would like to e-mail Dave and Maggie, contact me at
snj@faraway-soclose.org and I will send you their address.
http://www.faraway-soclose.org/jcr/
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"Support Our Soldiers"
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United We Stand
God Bless America
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Were it not for the brave,
there would be no Land of the Free!
Remember our POW/MIA's
I'll never forget!
Sempers,
Roger