Opa

Semper K9 is proud to announce the acceptance of Opa into our Service Dogs for Veterans Program. Opa is a yellow lab donated by Amy & Steve Woods. In memory of General Donald R. Keith, Opa is the name his grandchildren lovingly called him. Opa’s journey will serve as a living tribute to a leader who dedicated his life to military innovation, research & development, and the advancement of the U.S. Army.

General Donald R. Keith was a distinguished leader whose career spanned over four decades of military service, innovation, and dedication to his country. His journey began during World War II, when he served as an enlisted soldier before earning a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery upon graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1949.

Over the years, General Keith held key leadership roles in military research, development, aquisition and operational assignments. His work played a pivotal role in shaping modern military advancements, ensuring that American forces were equipped with cutting-edge technology and weaponry. Among his many accomplishments, he served as:

• Commander of the 36th Artillery Group in Europe
• Director of Research and Analysis for U.S. operations in Vietnam
• Commanding General of the U.S. Army Field Artillery School and Center at Fort Sill, OK
• Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development, and Acquisition at the Pentagon
• Commanding General of the U.S. Army Materiel Command

General Keith’s extraordinary vision, leadership, and expertise helped revolutionize the way the U.S. military developed and deployed advanced weaponry. His conception of the Army’s “Big Five” initiative and subsequent defense of those programs in front of Congress led to the development and fielding of the M1 Abrams Tank, the M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the PATRIOT Air and Missile Defense System, the UH-60 Black Hawk Utility Helicopter, and the AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter, along with the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) System. These systems have been the core of the U.S. Army’s combat power for the last five decades.

He continued his service to the country in his post-military career including serving on numerous Defense and Army Science Boards, military advocacy organizations, CEO of the U.S. Field Artillery Association, and CEO of Cypress International. Benefiting U.S. military and the warfighter was always his guiding principle. But his proudest achievement was being “Opa” to his three grandchildren: Chelsea, Lexi, and Ryan. They were the light of his life.

General Keith’s contributions earned him numerous commendations, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Bronze Star Medal. General Keith’s final resting place is at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA, in Section 30, Site 418 RH.

Here is how you can get involved:

Send a gift to Opa from our Amazon Wishlist: https://bit.ly/4aRa2MX