2023 Memorial Day Observance to honor Pat O’Keefe
The annual Memorial Day Observance hosted by the Dubois County Veteran Council, consisting of all Veteran Organizations of Dubois County, will be held Saturday, May 27th, at the Veterans Monument Park at 310 East 14th Street Huntingburg beginning at 10:00 am.
This observance, normally held at the Dubois County Veterans Memorial at the courthouse in downtown Jasper, is being moved for the public’s safety due to the construction being done in downtown Jasper. Everyone is invited to attend. The Huntingburg Park and Recreation will provide portable bleachers, but those in attendance are welcome to bring lawn chairs. Parking will be available on the lot south of the Veteran’s Memorial.
Services will also be held at area cemeteries. The schedule is at the following link.
The service will be conducted as follows.
The American Flag will be lowered to Half Staff by members of the Marine Corps League. Clint Reuber, President of the Dubois County Veterans Council, will be the master of ceremonies. David Chinn, Senior Pastor of Huntingburg United Methodist and Air Force Veteran, will give an opening prayer and benediction. Steve Schwinghamer, Mayor of Huntingburg, will welcome everyone to this event in Huntingburg.
Daryl Hensley, Chapter Service Officer of DAV #77 and American Legion Member, will remember our Missing In Action with the POW/MIA Ritual and Dan Hollinden from Navy Club Ship #90 will recognize Sailors who gave the ultimate sacrifice on the seas.
Our guest speaker for this Memorial Day is Major Richard Kurzendoerfer, who enlisted in the Indiana Army National Guard in April of 2002, went to Basic Training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, in August of 2002 and graduated from Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in December of 2002. Major’s enlisted Military Occupational Skill (MOS) was 13F (Forward Observer). Major Kurzendoerfer returned to his Home Station (1-163 Field Artillery) in Evansville and subsequently deployed to IRAQ in February 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, one of two deployments. Upon returning home, Major Kurzendoerfer was promoted to SGT (E-5) in late 2004 and then to SSG (E-6) in late 2006. Once again, Major Kurzendoerfer was deployed to IRAQ from December 2007 to December 2008 in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Upon returning home Major Kurzendoerfer was promoted to Second Lieutenant (0-1) in 2009, First Lieutenant in 2011, and Captain in 2013 and subsequently promoted to Major in 2020. Major Kurzendoerfer is the “acting” Rear Detachment Battalion Commander for 1-163FA and is scheduled to be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in January 2024.
Major Kurzendoerfer is highly decorated, being the recipient of many medals and ribbons in his 21 years of service to the Indiana National Guard, including the Bronze Star, of which he was awarded the Bronze Star for his Second Combat tour in 2007. Major Richard Kurzendoerfer is married to his wife Nicole and has two sons, Gabe (16) and Noah (14) and a daughter, Sophia (10). Major Richard Kurzendoerfer, when not serving in the “Guard,” is a Financial Advisor with his Edward Jones office in Jasper. Another passion of Major Kurzendoerfer is helping children and adults with mental disabilities as he is the President of the Board of Directors for Anderson Woods, which provides a summer camp experience for children and adults with mental disabilities.
Our Veteran to be honored and remembered at this year’s Memorial Day Observance 2023 is Patrick J O’Keefe. Pat was born on August 12, 1948, to Roy and Mildred (Pawlak) O’Keefe. Pat joined the Air Force in 1967 during the Viet Nam war. After his basic training in Texas, Pat was deployed to Thailand, where he was a crew chief for a squadron that flew F4 and F105 aircraft. At one time, during “Operation Rolling Thunder,” he and his crew launched and recovered 70 aircraft per day. When not launching aircraft, he was to repair the squadron’s aircraft and help secure a crash site if necessary. After his Thailand tour, Pat was transferred to Las Vegas, England, and Florida, where he was discharged after ten years of service. Pat moved back to Las Vegas, where he met his wife, Diana Hostetter.
After visiting Diana’s family, Pat knew he had to make Jasper his home. He became a purchasing agent for Kimball for 18 years and was the Pro Desk Supervisor for Home Depot for another eight years before retiring due to health reasons.
Pat joined the VFW Post #673, became an active member, and served as their Quartermaster for many years until his health would not let him do the job he loved. Pat was also a member of American Legion Post #147 and the Southern Indiana Leathernecks Detachment#931. Pat was active in many fund-raising military activities and was the Dubois County Fund Raising Coordinator for Honor Flight of Southern Indiana, of which he was a charter member. Pat played a significant role in the Honor Flight Homecoming Festivities for each flight at the Evansville airport.
Pat enjoyed golfing and spending time with family and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan when not serving his fellow Veterans. Pat is survived by his wife of 39 years, Diana O’Keefe, Jasper, daughter Dawn (Kim)O’Keefe, Louisville, KY; brother Kevin (Margaret)O’Keefe, Chicago; sister-in-law Lois O’Keefe, Texas; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law David (Ann) Hostetter Jasper, Duane (Carolina) Hostetter Las Vegas and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. His parents, son Sean and brother Timothy O’Keefe preceded him in death.
All Veterans who have died since last Memorial Day will be remembered and saluted by a 21 Gun Salute and Taps from an Honor Guard made up of members of the Veterans Organizations of Dubois County. John C. Smith from the Huntingburg Volunteer Fire Department will play Amazing Grace with his bagpipes. The PA system, along with a melody of patriotic songs, is being provided by Mike and Doris Klem.
A luncheon will be provided by Huntingburg VFW Post 2366 for the family and friends of Patrick J O’Keefe and those participating in this year’s event.
In case of inclement weather, all events will take place at Huntingburg VFW Post 2366, located at 314 N Geiger Street.
