ALBANY - For two families in Albany, the past 40-plus Memorial Days have been a time to honor two young servicemen killed in Vietnam.
Ken Keller, an Albany native, was killed in 1970 while serving in Cambodia during the Vietnam War, his niece Glady Day said. Keller was just 20 years old.
Every year since, his five sisters, many of whom are now in their 70s, have gathered to walk in Albany's parade on Memorial Day. (Ken's brother Keith returned from serving in Vietnam only to be killed in a car accident a short time later.)
Over the years, one sister passed away and another sister's vision has prevented her from participating. But those who are able continue to walk in Ken's memory.
"My mom and her other two sisters haven't really missed a Memorial Day" over the past 45 years, Day said. His sisters who continue to walk in the parade are Margaret Kauk, Day's mother; Karla Neild; and Hazel Ommodt, all of Albany.
And others have joined in - nowadays, Ken's nephews and nieces and their children walk also.
"We didn't even really know him," Day said, but the family joins together for the parade as a way to honor his legacy. The family also uses it as an opportunity to have a family reunion.
Another Albany family also makes a point to walk in the annual Albany parade as a way to honor their own fallen soldier.
Kris Blumer was killed in Vietnam in 1969 when he was 19. While his sister, Renee Porterfield of Brodhead, is no longer able to participate in the parade, she did for many years. Another sister Judy Sepsey of New Berlin and brother Karl Blumer of Albany, as well as Porterfield's three children, continue the family tradition of walking in the parade to honor their brother and uncle.
"I figure its the least we can do," Porterfield said. "It's a way to keep his memory alive."
She said it's almost a comfort knowing the Keller family is also walking. The families knew each other growing up, and the two servicemen died within a year of each other. They're even buried near each other in Albany.
"We share a bond," she said.
Ken Keller, an Albany native, was killed in 1970 while serving in Cambodia during the Vietnam War, his niece Glady Day said. Keller was just 20 years old.
Every year since, his five sisters, many of whom are now in their 70s, have gathered to walk in Albany's parade on Memorial Day. (Ken's brother Keith returned from serving in Vietnam only to be killed in a car accident a short time later.)
Over the years, one sister passed away and another sister's vision has prevented her from participating. But those who are able continue to walk in Ken's memory.
"My mom and her other two sisters haven't really missed a Memorial Day" over the past 45 years, Day said. His sisters who continue to walk in the parade are Margaret Kauk, Day's mother; Karla Neild; and Hazel Ommodt, all of Albany.
And others have joined in - nowadays, Ken's nephews and nieces and their children walk also.
"We didn't even really know him," Day said, but the family joins together for the parade as a way to honor his legacy. The family also uses it as an opportunity to have a family reunion.
Another Albany family also makes a point to walk in the annual Albany parade as a way to honor their own fallen soldier.
Kris Blumer was killed in Vietnam in 1969 when he was 19. While his sister, Renee Porterfield of Brodhead, is no longer able to participate in the parade, she did for many years. Another sister Judy Sepsey of New Berlin and brother Karl Blumer of Albany, as well as Porterfield's three children, continue the family tradition of walking in the parade to honor their brother and uncle.
"I figure its the least we can do," Porterfield said. "It's a way to keep his memory alive."
She said it's almost a comfort knowing the Keller family is also walking. The families knew each other growing up, and the two servicemen died within a year of each other. They're even buried near each other in Albany.
"We share a bond," she said.