WP-ORG Main Image
View a eulogy for Akos Dezso Szekely, USMA '64, who passed away on September 11, 1968.

Akos Dezso Szekely

West Point, 1964

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Keri Jacobs on June 10, 2014:

I did not have the privilege of knowing CPT Szekely. He attended my church in Silver Spring. I knew that his parents had lost their only son, and they donated Carillon bells in his memory. Unfortunately, after many years, the bells malfunctioned and his memorial was 'forgotten'. I found this plaque at our church: "We present this Carillon to the church in loving memory of our son CAPT Akos D Szekey "Duty, Honor, Country."

I felt terrible that his memorial, lovingly presented by his parents, had fallen into disarray. I determined that he not be forgotten. I googled his name and found many articles about his bravery in battle and his service and sacrifice.

I am a runner, and on Memorial Day, 2014, printed his picture, along with the words "In Loving Memory of CAPT Akos Szekely, KIA Tay Ninh, South Vietnam. March 24, 1942 - September 11, 1968. NEVER FORGOTTEN." I ran with his picture on my front and back, in a relay that raised money for children of our fallen heroes.

I have visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial numerous times, and now I always look up his name and take a picture. I have visited his resting place at Arlington cemetery twice and I will again. I purchased a rose in his name be left at The Wall on Father's Day in a special ceremony (even though he did not have children). I will create another memorial at our church (Church of the Atonement, Silver Spring, MD) to honor him. I would like to share his story with our congregants. Those that knew him are aging and I want to make sure he is not forgotten. Several years ago, someone (maybe from West Point) came to our church to try to find out more information on him. I wish I could speak with that person.

Akos Szekely has become my hero. Does he have surviving family members? If there is another reunion that is spoken of in these eulogies of his friends, I would be honored to attend, if I may. The Vietnam war was the war of my generation - I was a little girl who prayed for our troops in Vietnam every night. I am saddened that our country did not honor them the way we should have. May Akos Szekely rest in peace. May he never be forgotten.

Previous Eulogy   Next Eulogy
admin

West-Point.Org (WP-ORG), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides an online communications infrastructure that enable graduates, parents, and friends of the military academy to maintain and strengthen the associations that bind us together. We will provide this community any requested support, consistent with this purpose, as quickly and efficiently as possible. WP-ORG is funded by the generosity of member contributions. Our communication services are provided in cooperation with the AOG (independent of USMA) and are operated by volunteers serving the Long Gray Line. For questions or comments, please email us at feedback@west-point.org.