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    Honoring a legend: Kelly Memorial Stadium rededicated honoring 50 year anniversary

    Honoring a legend: Kelly Memorial Stadium rededicated honoring 50 year anniversary

    Photo By Sgt. William Begley | The color guard and firing party from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment,...... read more read more

    SYLVANIA, GA, UNITED STATES

    08.23.2014

    Story by Sgt. William Begley 

    3rd Combat Aviation Brigade

    SYLVANIA, Ga. – The community of Sylvania, Ga., Screven County High School, and Soldiers of 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade joined local Vietnam War veterans in a ceremony rededicating Kelly Memorial Stadium in honor of Maj. Charles Kelly Aug. 23 during a pregame ceremony before the Screven County Gamecocks' first regular season football game of 2014.

    Before the ceremony, a memorial was unveiled for the Vietnam War hero. Kelly was honored not only for his bravery during wartime, but also for the standards he set for generations of MEDEVAC missions to come, and his legendary last words spoken during his last mission.

    Kelly, a 1947 Sylvania High School graduate, died from a single bullet to the heart 50 years ago on July 1, 1964, when he attempted a MEDEVAC during an intense firefight in the Vinh Long province of South Vietnam. Kelly was told he would have a secure landing zone but immediately, upon arrival, took a barrage of enemy fire as he was told to withdraw repeatedly. His reply, “When I have your wounded,” has become the battle cry for the DUSTOFF pilots of today.

    Charles Kelly Jr. was on hand to honor his father’s legacy. He also assisted in unveiling the memorial crafted to honor his father. Kelly also talked about why it was so important to rededicate the stadium in his father’s honor.

    “It’s important, I think, to pass these things along so that the kids that attend this high school understand why it’s named Charles Kelly Stadium,” said Kelly Jr. “They probably don’t know the story, but after today they will. There are so many things he did, and it’s important to pass that along. I’m very proud of my father and I’m in awe of what he did.”

    “When my father died, I was very young,” continued Kelly Jr. “I always heard as a kid that the Army takes care of its own. It means so much to me especially to have the Soldiers here; it means everything.”

    A large crowd of Vietnam War veterans were on hand as well to honor Kelly’s sacrifice and to be recognized for their service to the country during wartime. Three former members of the original color guard that participated in the original ceremony when Kelly Memorial Stadium was first memorialized were present and proudly saluted the colors which were handled by the color guard from Company C, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd CAB.

    Maj. Jason Jones currently commands Co. C, 2nd Bn., 3rd Aviation Reg., the unit Kelly led in Vietnam, formerly the 498th Air Ambulance Company. He spoke with pride about the meaning of ceremony to today’s DUSTOFF crews.

    “It was an incredible honor to be a part of this dedication, and to provide the color guard and firing party,” said Jones. “Major Charles Kelly is more than a war hero, he was also the founder and pioneer of our noble profession, establishing standards and systems for MEDEVAC helicopters in Vietnam that we still use today in Afghanistan. He made a choice every day to risk his life to save others, and paid the ultimate price. Kelly’s story reminds us that MEDEVAC is a dangerous business, but that the rewards are priceless.

    Retired Army Col. Ben Knisely was a lieutenant when he was assigned to the 498th Air Ambulance Company, in Vietnam. Though he was not present for the ceremony, he summarized the evening with comments about his experience with Kelly.

    “Charles Kelly is none other than a genuine National Hero, and for the community to preserve his name and legacy is truly admirable, and the right thing to do,” said Knisely.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.23.2014
    Date Posted: 08.25.2014 16:21
    Story ID: 140323
    Location: SYLVANIA, GA, US

    Web Views: 82
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN