Akos Dezso Szekely

West Point, 1964

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Keri Jacobs on May 22, 2015:

It is approaching Memorial Day again. I had just found out about you and your story a little over a year ago. I ran in your memory Memorial Day 2014. I have since visited your resting place at Arlington several times and also your name on the Wall. After emailing with some of your classmates, I found out more about your days at West Point. My husband and I went to West Point in March (2015) and ran a half marathon. We carried your picture and also Cliff McKittrick's. I heard you ran these hills many times back in your days there. I found your memorial paver / brick, along with MAJ McKittrick's. I also visited his resting place at the cemetery. The first day we arrived at West Point, it was snowing. The day of the half marathon, it was a beautiful sunny day but the temp was in the teens. There were fallen comrade pictures at every mile. I hope to get your picture out there next year. On our last day there, we drove around the campus. I remember seeing your class's pictures taken in front of "the barracks". I decided it would be great if we strolled out in front of the barracks and held your pictures while we took a picture. We had no idea we were in an 'off limits' area. A nice officer approached us and informed us of our somewhat mild transgression, and then he offered to take our picture as we held you and Cliff. I sure wish I knew if your parents (or any family) were still alive. I would like to tell them that you are not forgotten. This Sunday, at our church (where your family attended) we will play selections from your memorial carillon. It doesn't work any more, but someone made a digital recording that we can play. I will visit the Vietnam Memorial this weekend, and think of you and Cliff and your classmates. I will also visit at Arlington. Keri Jacobs, Church of the Atonement, Silver Spring, MD (where the Szekely's attended)

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