by Cris Italia
From time to time I've asked Keith what he expects, where he thinks he'll be and what he thinks he'll be doing in the next few months as a member of the U.S. Army. Usually he just shrugs and downplays his potential participation in what has become a war that seems to have no ending.
That's Keith -- never displaying too much emotion, always maintaining an even temper. He makes those around him calm and comfortable in any situation. In his time here he has led by example, never complaining about much and just doing his job.
I remember my first few days here. When I was a little uneasy and confused, he displayed a calm that I will never forget. "You're going to be fine," he would say. He'd stop by my desk every so often just to make sure I was on the right track.
Last year at this time, Keith was in basic training, but even then I thought of the risk he was taking. At 30, all he wanted to do was make a difference -- to defend this country and the beliefs we all share. It has been no secret how he felt after the attacks of September 11, 2001. All this time focused on joining the fight hasn't fazed him at all. He's still calm, still makes you feel that everything is going to be fine.
With each day, I've gained more and more respect and admiration for him. He doesn't have to do this. At this point in his life, Keith almost missed the cutoff age to join the Army, but he acted quickly and made sure he would be there.
Many mornings, Keith ditched his wheels for sneakers or a bike. While running or biking to work from Long Beach to Lawrence, Keith wanted to make sure he'd stay fit from his time in basic until now. There is no doubt he is leaving a neighborhood in Long Beach that he loves -- one he grew up in.
While a part of me worries about Keith's well being, I'm confident that he will display the same leadership as a soldier that he has as an editor. I am also confident that those leadership skills will lead him back to us safe and sound.
I've said goodbye to several friends since Sept. 11, 2001. Because of a death in their family or of a friend, they reacted, joining the Marines without hesitation. I think about them every day. I wonder where they may be and hope they're still safe.
When Keith told me he was leaving, it wasn't a surprise. I knew this was in his heart and he couldn't avoid following it. I can't tell you what a tremendous feeling it is just to be around someone who is so mentally locked in. All this time, there's never been a glimmer of doubt. I doubt he's ever even thought, Maybe this is a mistake. He made his decision, and just like everything else he has done, he will follow through.
Keith made it easy for me to be friends with him. We shared similar views on the war, always kept thoughts of victims in our minds, and never budged on why the country was doing this.
You often hear people compliment somebody by saying, "That guy is all heart." When it comes to our nation, Keith is all heart. I'm glad I had this time to know him. Stay safe, Keith. We'll all miss you.
