Veteran of War in Persian Gulf
Thomas Keating
Interviewed by:
Chloe Pelligrini
"Anytime you start to drift away, your mind came back to towers in New York City."
~ Thomas Keating (8:21)
Name:
Thomas Keating
Date of Birth:
October 1947
Branch of Service:
Navy/Army/MP
Dates of Service:
1970 - Present
Location of Military Service: Iceland/Arctic Circle/Naples, Italy/North Africa/Persian Gulf
Residence at Time of Interview: Brewster, MA
Thomas Keating's Story:
Mr. Thomas Keating joined the Army when he was 23 as an enlisted person in 1970. He wanted to continue the military tradition of his father whom had served during WWI. Mr. Keating went to basic training in Fort Polk, LA and then went to Fort Sam Houston for combat training and medic school in San Antonio.
One of Mr. Keating’s proudest moments in the military was when he was in the Persian Gulf. Mr. Keating was assigned to resupply ships and due to the delay, the ships entered the harbor just as the American flag was raised. This made him very proud to see the symbol of America with the war ships sailing in at dawn. After his service he became a substitute teacher in Springfield MA, before moving to Cape Cod to become a seasonal Park Ranger.
Above:
Thomas Keating is featured in The Republican on Mass Live 2004
Thomas Keating was recognized for his service in 2008. An article named "Park Ranger Keating honored for military service" by Rich Eldred appeared in Wicked Local Cape Cod in order to further honor Keating's contributions to our society.
Keating appears in other articles highlighting his services.