Barbara Keough of North Huntingdon still keeps her son’s uniform, his medals and his Purple Heart — tangible reminders of a life cut short 35 years ago.
Her son, 22-year-old Frank Keough, was one of 13 members of the 14th Quartermaster Detachment killed during the Feb. 25, 1991, Scud missile strike in Saudi Arabia.
At a memorial service held Feb. 25 at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Hempfield’s Carbon section, Frank’s sister, Christine Poth-Keough of Jeannette, described her brother as a “loving, caring, charismatic friend, son, brother and uncle.”
For the Keough family and dozens of others, the passage of three decades hasn’t dimmed the memory of their loved ones. More than 100 family members, Army personnel, veterans and the Greensburg VFW Post 33 honor guard crowded into the center for the service.
Inside, a table held 13 candles alongside photos of the fallen reservists. Family members of the victims poured sand into a common jar, which was later poured onto the monument by those families.
“Events like this ensure that the sacrifices made are not confined to history books or fading memories,” said Maj. Robert Prah of Rostraver, executive officer for the 327th Quartermaster Battalion. “Instead, they are carried forward, taught, shared and honored by each new generation of soldiers. Our past gives meaning to our present.”
Mementos of lives cut short
While the Keoughs cherish Frank’s medals, Darlene Mayes of Indiana County holds a more bittersweet memory. She has many mementos, but she doesn’t have her daughter’s engagement ring. It was buried with 22-year-old Christine Mayes after she was killed.
“I have a curio cabinet of all of her stuff and pictures,” Mayes said before the hourlong memorial service. While the engagement ring Christine’s fiancé gave her before she was deployed in January 1991 remains with her for eternity, Mayes finds comfort in the photographs and personal belongings kept behind glass in her home.
The anniversary brought back memories that are not always easy to handle.
“It’s a hard day. It feels like it was just yesterday,” said Connie Clark of Armagh, regarding the death of her daughter, Beverly S. Clark, 23. Clark also maintains a curio cabinet for Beverly.
Her memory is kept alive at every family event, holiday and Sunday dinner, Clark said.
“She is with us every day,” said Clark, who noted that her son, Robert, named his daughter Alexis Beverly.
Clark and Mayes share a special bond. They are both from Indiana County and each has a daughter who died in the explosion.
“We’ve become friends,” Clark said. Before deploying, Clark’s daughter was anticipating an engagement and planned to study elementary education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Darla Madison of Monessen, whose 27-year-old son, Anthony, was killed, recalled watching news clips of the attack at the time, thinking how terrible it was for the soldiers involved.
“I don’t forget. It’s so fresh in our minds and our hearts. It seems like yesterday,” Madison said, adding that a whole wall of her house is dedicated to Anthony’s medals and photographs. His father, Anthony Madison, said he likes to walk in Monessen’s Ninth Street Park, where a sign features his son’s picture.
A legacy of service
The local water purification unit had landed in Saudi Arabia just six days before the strike. They were part of a military operation aimed at removing Iraqi troops that in August 1990 had invaded Kuwait, which supplied the U.S. with oil, according to a Department of War website.
In all, the missile claimed the lives of 15 other soldiers and wounded 99 members of the Quartermaster unit and the 477th Provisional Transportation Unit.
“We’ve lived with these families for 35 years,” said Rebecca Boxler of Richland Township, Cambria County. Her father, John Boxler, was killed in the attack.
Attending the service these decades later is important so the younger generation understands his sacrifice, Boxler said.
“It’s a way for the younger generation to know the stories of their grandfather,” who was the “old man” of the unit at age 44, she said.
Family members remarked on how, after all these years, the families of the victims have bonded over the tragedy.
“We’ve become pretty good friends. We have a lot in common,” Darlene Mayes said.
“It helps everybody to come together and reminisce,” said Christine Poth-Keough.
Survivor Mary Rhoads of California, Pa., said it’s important for her to attend as a way of remembering her fellow reservists. Rhoads was outside the barracks when the missile hit. She still struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and does not like to talk about it.
Following her custom, Rhoads left a small white teddy bear and a white rose at the base of the monument in memory of her friend, Clark.
“I had made a promise to the unit that I would never forget,” Rhoads said.