“It is our sad duty to report that Legionnaire Herbert R. Keith has been called from our midst and gone to report to the Commander of all.” This moment is sacred with the almost visible presence of the one who has gone before. We come to honor the memory of one who offered his life in the service of our country and who has now enrolled in that great spirit army, whose footfalls cause no sound, but in the memory of mankind, their souls go marching on, sustained by the pride of service in time of war. Because of them our lives are free; because of them our nation lives; because of them the world is blessed. Legionnaire Herbert Roosevelt Keith was born on March 12, 1938, in Raleigh, NC, as the last of nine children of Leroy Keith and Ora Evans Keith. He attended Wake County Schools. Legionnaire Keith furthered his education and attended Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. He enlisted in the United States Air Force at the age of 22 in 1960. He received the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Air Force Organizational Excellent Award, the USAF Outstanding Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Metal, the USAF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, the USAF Overseas Short Tour with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the AF Good Conduct Metal with Seven Oak Leaf Clusters. After 26 years of dedicated service to the United States Air Force, he retired in 1986 as Senior Master Sergeant. Legionnaire Herbert Keith was also a member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars, (VFW Post 10999). Mr. Elree T. Smith, Adjutant/Service Officer of VFW Post 10999, read and presented The VFW Certificate of Remembrance to Mrs Keith during the service. Post Commander James Langston of The Charles T. Norwood American Legion Post 157, read and presented the Post Everlasting citation that is providing Mrs Keith with a permanent service record and a tribute to her husband. The Military Funerals service was performed by USAF Service members from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Following the rifle team volley, the bugler sounds taps and two pallbearers remove the U.S. flag from the casket, fold it in the traditional manner and place it on the arm of the detail Commander who will present the flag to Mrs.Keith. Farewell, our friend and fellow Legionnaire (Ref: The American Legion Officer’s Guide and Manual of Ceremonies) (Ref: The Obituary of Legionnaire Keith (The Keith family and The Lyons Funeral Home)

 

 

At the monthly Executive Broad Meeting. L to R: Legionnaire Herbert Keith, Past Post Commander: Donald Moses, Past Post Commander Freddie Kelly, Sergeant-at-Arms: Ernest Adams, Post Commander: James Langston, Service Officer: Donald Debnam and Legionnaire Elree Smith.

 

Monthly Post meeting, L to R: Legionnaire Elree Smith, Post Commander James Langston, Legionnaire Willie Morgan and Legionnaire Herbert Keith.

 

Monthly Post meeting: L to R standing: Sergeant-at-Arms: Ernest Adams, Past Post Commander Freddie Kelly, Legionnaire Elree Smith, Post Commander James Langston, Legionnaire Willie Morgan, Legionnaire Herbert Keith and Legionnaire Charles Whitaker. Seated: A guest visitor, Legionnaire Fredrick Smith, Legionnaire Donald Debnam and a guest visitor.

 

Monthly Post meeting, Legionnaire Herbert Keith and Legionnaire Willie Morgan

 

Carolina Biblical Gardens Cemetery in Raleigh, NC

 

 

 

USAF Service members from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Rifle Team stands guard over the gravesite

 

USAF Service members from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Rifle Team standing guard.

 

2nd Vice Commander: Charles Whitaker, Legionnaire Elree Smith and Post Commander James Langston.

 

USAF Service members from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base pallbearers at the cemetery await the arrival of the hearse.

 

 

USAF Service members from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base pallbearers at the cemetery await the opening of the hearse

 

 

 

 

 

L to R: Post Commander James Langston, Legionnaire Elree Smith, 2nd Vice Commander, Charles Whitaker, Finance Officer Michael Parrott and Parliamentarian Michael Shaw.

 

The two pallbearers remove the U.S. flag from the casket, fold it in the traditional manner and place it on the arm of the detail Commander who will present the flag to Mrs.Keith.

 

USAF Service members from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base rifle team. The firing of three rifle volleys, symbolizes the ultimate sacrifices made by the individual. Each volley is believed to represent duty, honor, and country.

 

USAF Service members from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base bugler sounds taps. Serves as a final salute, acknowledging the veteran’s role in protecting the nation’s freedoms.

 

 

The two pallbearers remove the U.S. flag from the casket, fold it in the traditional manner and place it on the arm of the detail Commander.

 

The two pallbearers remove the U.S. flag from the casket, fold it in the traditional manner and place it on the arm of the detail Commander who will present the flag to Mrs.Keith.

 

On behalf of the president of the United States, the United States Air Force, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable service.

 

 

Farewell, our friend and fellow Legionnaire

 

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