-----Original Message-----
From: Jacqueline Keller [mailto:jckeller@q.com] 
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 8:55 AM
To: 'Montague.Winfield@osd.mil'
Cc: Ann Mills-Griffiths (powmiafam@aol.com)
Subject: Our conversation POW/MIA families meeting June 14-16, 2012

August 13, 2012


MG Montague Winfield 
DASD for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs  

Dear General Winfield: 

My name is Jacqueline C. Keller.  I introduced myself to you at the
National League of POW/MIA Families meeting on Thursday, June 14, 2012.  At
that time, I gave your aide a packet describing my on-going battle with the
U.S. Air Force bureaucracy.  

The next day, I spoke to you about how President Obama told only half the
story at the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial on May 28, Memorial Day,
when he spoke about Captain Virgil Meroney, USAF, and his family.  The
other half of the story involved my husband, Colonel Wendell Keller, who
was listed MIA when he and Captain (then 1Lt.) Meroney went down in Laos in
1969.

Captain (then 1Lt.) Meroney was the young pilot featured on the overhead
screen (for about 15 minutes) at the League meeting on Friday, June 15th.  
That briefing really affected me, because no mention was made that my
husband was an integral part of that mission, and that omission was
likewise hurtful. Perhaps Wendell's name was not acknowledged because his
case is not officially closed and won't be until it is properly settled. 
Both Air Force officers would normally have been "accounted for" in April
2012. Captain Meroney was, but not Wendell.  

Instead, I received a "final" rejection letter from SAF/GC, dated April
12, 2012, denying me the fair and just compensation I have been seeking for
so long.  My family, the family of experienced USAF pilot Major Wendell
Keller, Aircraft Commander of a two-ship formation on a night mission over
Laos, has been seriously damaged both financially and emotionally by the
Air Force's admitted error.

If I sounded rude when I told you that President Obama and the White House
need to do something before the election, it was not my intention, but I
felt urgency was essential because of the upcoming "co-mingled" ceremony,
with full Military Honors, now scheduled for October 19th at Arlington
National Cemetery.  Unless corrective action is assured, I will have no
choice but to publicly break my silence about this entire ordeal before
that time!

Did you review my packet?  Your aide assured me that you would see it.  I
have been waiting for a response, but have heard nothing.  Now I am asking
for help from you and DPMO in my quest for justice.  A guiding principle of
DPMO is to "foster and maintain an open and forthright dialogue with the
families of America's missing."  This assurance gives me some hope that you
will ask your General Counsel to objectively look into this travesty of
justice and provide assistance to me and my family. 

The upcoming POW/MIA Recognition Day on September 21st could serve as the
perfect opportunity to bring attention to the grievous error on the part of
the Air Force.  It is my earnest hope that public attention will not be
required, and that corrective action will come without further delay.  

Sincerely and hopefully,

Jacqueline C. Keller

cc:	Ann Mills-Griffiths 
	Chairman of the Board
	National League of POW/MIA Families