Larry Kier Memorial Dedication...
4 November 2003

There were over 40 vehicles and over 100 motorcycles at the dedication. We had people there from across Kentucky, Missouri, New York, Chicago and other places. Our speakers were the Rev. Lowell Rice. He is the preacher from the Church of God in Owingsville. This is the largest church in the county and they fly the POW/MIA flag everyday in front of the church along with the American and Christian flag. Our other speaker was Col. Ron Ray from Louisville. He is a retired Marine and a Vietnam Veteran and he was the Asst. Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan. Col. Ray was the founding director of the KY Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Frankfort, KY. He also fought with us when we were trying to get the POW/MIA flag flown there every day. He also has seen evidence that 720 American POWs were abandoned after Vietnam. The Honor Guard was from the Bath Co. VFW and the bugle player was Verl Pennington. The bagpipes were played by Chris Paul.

S Sgt Larry Kier's brother Vern Kier and other family members were there. Vern Kier is also very sick. He and the family members want to thank everyone for attending and for everyone being so kind and not forgetting S Sgt Larry Kier.

C.J. Bays was the person that negotiated and found us a fitting memorial for returned POW/MIA S Sgt Larry Kier. C.J. worked to get the price lowered and paid for it himself until we could repay him. He has been repaid from our chapter funds. C.J. is dying from cancer and we were so glad that on Sunday he could be with us and see what he had accomplished. He is a Vietnam Veteran that still is working to help his country. He said his duty never ended when he came home. We will never forget SSgt Larry Kier thanks to the memorial at his grave site and C.J. Bays will not be forgotten for all of his love and work for his fellow man.

SSGT Larry Gene Kier, a prisoner of war/missing in action (POW/MIA) from Vietnam, went missing in Vietnam on May 7, 1970. His remains were returned and buried in Owingsville, Kentucky at the Owingsville Cemetery with full military honors on March 30, 2002.

We are now planning a monument to be placed at his gravesite in Owingsville. The monument we have selected normally would cost around $10,000 or more. Thanks to C. J. Bays, past president of Rolling Thunder KY chapter 5, we can purchase the monument for $3,250.00. We are now accepting donations to pay for the monument.

Donations are limited to no more than $100.00 per person or business. Donations of $100.00 or less can be sent to the Owingsville Banking Co., Owingsville, KY 40360. Make the check or money order out to the "Larry Gene Kier Memorial Fund". Any amount over the cost of the monument will be used for flowers for the Kier Memorial on Memorial Day each year.

We will have a ceremony later on when we dedicate the Kier Memorial.

Danny "Greasy" Belcher
Infantry Sgt. Vietnam 68-69
"D" Troop 7th Sqdn 1st Air Cav.
President, Rolling Thunder KY Ch. 3

May 2, 2003
Subject: POW/MIA SSGT Larry Gene Kier - NEVER FORGET

To All (Please forward widely):

Rolling Thunder does many good things for our POW's, MIA's, and their families who continue to suffer in silence. From creating community awareness by holding patriotic POW MIA Flag Raisings and fighting for POW MIA friendly legislation in Washington, DC and at the state level, to honoring returned MIA's by participating and sometimes organizing their funeral ceremonies.

I am proud to be a member of an organization that has so many good people that care to do something for those that cannot do for themselves. I cannot understand why Americans have let their government abandon our POW's and MIA's for short sighted political expediency. It will always bother me that more isn't done.

Here is an opportunity to do something substantial and lasting that will make a statement to future generations so that maybe this horror might be avoided in the future.

Having a son on active duty with the 101st Airborne in Iraq, this is an emotional thing for me. Anyone who understands the POW MIA Accountability Act, The Bring Them Home Alive Act, understands what this means to our current active duty troops. The proof of the value of these Rolling Thunder supported bills is evident in the freedom being offered to the Iraqi who brought us to PFC Jessica Lynch.

INTERMAX Computer Associates, Inc. is hereby donating the maximum amount of $100.00 to this excellent memorial for Staff Sergeant Larry Gene Kier who we laid to rest on March 30, 2002 at the Owingsville Cemetery, Bath County, KY.

May we NEVER FORGET! "Bring 'em home or send us back!"

I would like to encourage other businesses and individuals to do the same if at all possible.

Jeffrey D. Smith
President
INTERMAX Computer Associates, Inc.
Lexington, KY
freeourpows@yahoo.com
jds@intermaxcomputer.com

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Published on: 2005-06-21 (3015 reads)