The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America reminds us yet again how much our nation needs its military heroes and personnel in uniform.   The Marines and Soldiers who are searching Afghan caves for Al Qaeda terrorists and Taliban fighters have taken risks far beyond the normal dangers of civilian life.   When these guardians of freedom return home, they will by virtue of their service forever be a breed apart from those whom they have protected.

For 77 years, Richard Keech was of that breed, and one of our most respected citizens.   He was a genuine WWII hero, a Marine who exemplified the best of our foreign war veterans.   Few survivors suffered more at the hands of the enemy than Richard and his fellow Marine and Army defenders of Corregidor in 1942.   Only half of those ordered by high command to surrender to Japanese forces managed to survive the ensuing three and a half years of brutal slave labor as POWs.   Though badly treated while a POW, Richard never lost his honor as a United States Marine, and he returned home after the War to finish his education, raise a family, help rebuild this nation's postwar economy, and be an outstanding citizen for the next half century.

Not until Richard Keech  --  at an age when many Veterans have died or are dying  --  was faced with every father's nightmare  --  a perverse and unyielding threat to the very life of his daughter and grandchild did the aging Marine step over the bounds of "normal" society.   But he did so with the same code of honor, the same protective spirit that demanded he be willing to give his life for his family, just as he was once willing to give his life for his country in the jungles of Bataan.   Only when all other options had been explored, and only after local authorities essentially mandated that his daughter and grandchild "surrender to the hands of the enemy," did the demons, training, and experiences of Richard's past life as a warrior, a prisoner, and a victim trigger an unfortunate decision  --  one that saved the lives of his loved ones, but in a sense, took what remained of his own.

Local authorities repeatedly ignored the desperate pleas of Richard's daughter, an abused, battered, and estranged wife, who was literally in mortal fear of her life from her ex-husband, a foreigner with a history of flaunting convention and the law.   Richard's emotions, with the indelible imprint of his POW experience, were strained to the limit by the terror being inflicted not only on his family, but increasingly on himself as the de facto guardian of his offspring.   A violent confrontation at Richard's doorstep, initiated by the intimidating ex-husband resulted in the death of the larger, stronger, more youthful aggressor at the hands of the old Marine.  From that point came a murder conviction and a prison sentence of 35 years to life for Richard Keech  –  at age 79!

Although Richard admits that he committed a serious crime and believes his conviction shows the "system works", Richard believes in his heart that he "did the right thing," and took the only option that was left to prevent the final threats of violence, issued for the umpteenth time on his very doorstep, to his entire family from becoming a reality.   Most of those familiar with his case (especially those who have daughters) agree with the old Marine and former POW.   He knew what it was like to endure years of beatings and intimidation.   He also knew how to fight for his life and more importantly, the lives of those he loved most dear.   His attitude, his actions, his WWII heroism, and more than three quarters of a century of outstanding citizenship does not matter a pittance to prison officials and guards.   They are determined that Richard gets "punished" for the rest of his life, no matter how short that may be in reality.   To them he is no different than a career criminal, a dangerous felon (by definition as convicted).   The difference is, there is a difference.   Richard Keech was a Marine, and as the Corps knows full-well, "once a Marine, always a Marine."  In taking the course of action he did, Richard Keech both committed a crime and upheld the honor every father, and every Marine, knows he must maintain in order to live with himself.

Now this frail 82 year old senior citizen and aging Combat Veteran, who has a hard time walking even with the aid of a cane, is confined with the general population in a California prison with no hope of getting the necessary medical treatment for documented war-related health problems.   Though granted a 100% service-connected disability rating by the Veterans Administration, as a prison inmate he does not have access to VA medical services. When he is occasionally sent to a medical clinic in the nearby city, he is put in an orange jump suit, handcuffed to a waist chain, put in leg chains, and escorted by two armed guards. The world shows more concern for youthful, willing Al Qaeda terrorists who have vowed to "kill their American captors" in Guantanamo Naval Base, than the authorities do for this once-heroic Marine and "career good citizen."

The cruelty of this is a national shame  --  Richard Keech is not a "dangerous felon."   He was and still is a man of honor, integrity, and action, who saved the lives of his child and grandchild in the face of unrelenting hostility from a threat no less menacing than the terrorist minds who attacked innocents on September 11th.   One difference is that Richard Keech, an old Marine, stood alone in the face of his threat, and answered it without the aid of squads of Police or Firemen or fellow passengers on a doomed airliner.  Richard Keech, and his children had called for help before, but no one came to their rescue.   So he did what he had to do to stop the torture and the torment.   He has been tried, convicted, and punished, yet no authority has the right to ignore and denigrate the honorable record of an elderly hero.  He is no threat to society, and he knows what he did was wrong in the conventional sense.   Like a good Marine, he has accepted his fate with stoic courage, even with humor.   It is not he who asks for this pardon, but those who know and love him best, including generations of fellow Marines and American Veterans.

I respectfully petition your office to provide relief to Richard Keech's plight with a compassionate release.   He is near the end of his natural life and has certainly sacrificed enough for his country to earn the right to die at home with his family.


Signed_______________________________Date________________

Address__________________________________________________

City & State_______________________________________________


Copy to:
George W. Bush
President, USA
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500