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The site will include flags, stone walls, a walkway and other features that will hopefully attract veterans, their families and visitors.
Keller is a Vietnam veteran and was a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He was the point man for his unit, scoping out danger several yards ahead of the other soldiers.
"As I have gotten older I have started to pass along stories from my time in the service," said Keller, who served in Vietnam from 1968-69.
After his time in the military, Keller worked at the Chariton Hy-Vee until his retirement in 1999. It was after his retirement, Keller read a book about a prisoner of war called "Beyond Survival" by Gerald Coffee, a retired Navy captain who was shot down while flying combat missions over North Vietnam.
When he met the author, Keller said he was thanked by Coffee for serving his country.
"That was the first time in 35 years that someone has said that to me," Keller said.
Coffee also quoted a famous American who once said, "We, and all others who believe in freedom as deeply as we do, would rather die on our feet than live on our knees."
"That is really a powerful statement," Keller said.
He said meeting Coffee and reading "Beyond Survival" prompted Keller to do something in terms of paying tribute to past, present and future soldiers of the United States.
Keller said the memorial site west of Albia will serve as a tribute to all soldiers for the hard work they put in "defending this great land.
"This is something we really plan to stick with," Keller said, dedicating himself and the committee to the ongoing project.
"We wanted to have something that all veterans could be proud of," he said. "And a place for all wondering soul of soldiers to come back to."
For nearly two years Keller and the committee has been working with the project. Now that the blue print stage is completed, Keller hopes that they can break ground this summer.
"This will be a national site open to all who want to come and visit," he said. "This could include family, friends and of course the soldiers themselves."
Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.
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