The family of 80-year-old Fred Kaffenberger, who spent most of his life after the Marines honoring veterans, say they are taking solace in the way he died.
Kaffenberger retired from the Marine Corps and become a history and civics teacher. With a passion for learning, he researched his genealogy and discovered an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War. He joined the sons of the American Revolution and wore an era-replica uniform to honor other veterans and families, according to WDAF Kansas.
Fred dedicated countless hours honoring veterans at a number of places including parades, funerals, and decorating graves in cemeteries. In fact, the Marine was visiting the Leavenworth National Cemetery, helping to lay hundreds of wreaths when suddenly he collapsed.
The 80 year old died suddenly. Doctors still aren’t sure exactly why.
“Hollywood doesn’t write stories as great as this man’s story”, says DiGiovanni, the daughter of the veteran whose grave Kaffenberger was honoring.
His family says they can take solace in not only in how he died, but how he lived.
“This was the way he would have chosen to go” remarked Wanda, Fred’s wife. She continued, “How would you choose to go? Doing what you love to do and going in an instant? Yeah, I would too.”
Don’t know who authored this story, but we are NEVER former Marines!!!
Deanna Long
USMC 77-79
Hi Donna thanks for writing in. You’ll notice it says ‘former Marine’ on the embedded news piece that a local news station did. We did not report that he was a former Marine, we simply shared the story.
We are very much aware that Marines are Marines for life. Have a great day.
Clearly, you can’t distinguish Donna from Deanna. Good work!
Sorry Deanna it was the autocorrect on my phone.
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I am a Marine, just not currently active but available for recall on a moments notice and yes ,I’d blame it on autocorrect too.
Red
Semper Fi
Deanna…or Donna,
Why is it that you couldn’t just read the story without pointing out the smallest flaw in detail? Who’s gives a rats *** if they referred to him as former? Until only a few short years ago, when General Amos changed it, it was a completely acceptable term.
Either way, step down off that high horse and cut the civilian reporters some slack. I hope you’re living every minute to the standards of the USMC otherwise.
Rest Easy Marine, thank you for your service.
R I P Devil Dog. Thanks for your service I will be laying wreaths this Sunday and will keep your family in my Prayers.
As a civilian you wouldn’t understand
Earned by a few…..Envied by many. Semper Fi Marine, Rest in Peace
Deanna is kind of a meanie. I say. Wow!!
RIP Devil Dog your tour here is over……go join your Sisters and Brothers who have gone before you and take up your post. As your family mourns you every Marine mourns your loss as well……Semper Fi…..
Donna,
What’s up with all the attitude devil dog? Stand down, relax and have a Chetto!
Semper Fidelis Amiga
If he’s passed on, he’s former. Get your tense right Deanna, if you want to be a speech stickler.
SSgt USMC
’84 – ’94
[…] There is a beautiful chapel at this cemetery. My oldest daughter was married there. Marine veteran dies while laying Christmas Wreaths at National Cemetery […]
[…] the article: BJ Bozack December 17, 2015 at 2:46 pm – Reply If he’s passed on, he’s former. Get your tense right Deanna, if you want to be a […]
There are only two kinds of MARINES; active duty and inactive duty.
Quick correction please. He wears a reproduced Revolutionary War dress uniform during his color guard services, not a Civil War as stated in the article. My father was with Fred at the cemetery that day.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
SEMPER FI Mr. Kaffenberger ~ Rest In Paradise Sir.
Esprit de corps. How else to explain it.
Continuing his commitment to community – semper fi
Semper Fi all you Marines. I became one at 17 and I just turned 80yrs old 6 days ago.
and I’m still giving back every day..