dock581 Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 On this Veterans Day Bills fans should especially remember Bob Kalsu. Bob was the only U.S. professional athlete to die in Viet Nam. He is memorialized on the Bills Wall of Fame and his life and career documented with a cover story on Sports Illustrated in 2001 . Bob was an All American tackle at Oklahoma and became a starting guard for the Bills in 1968. He was voted the teams top rookie but enlisted at the end of the season. Tragically, he was killed in Vietnam in 1970 This summer I donated my sailboat to a Buffalo waterfront organization a group which teaches veterans, handicapped and underprivileged children how to sail and be safe on the water. When asked what I wanted to name the boat , as a Bills fan since 1948, I immediately thought naming it for a Bill might mean something to these kids. After some thought I decided if they named the boat the Kalsu that might be something that could bring to light a forgotten Bills hero who had given his life for our country. This group does outstanding work bringing joy and maturity to a group of kids and others who otherwise might never have the fun enjoying the water that has been such a big part of many of our lives. If any of you are interested in supporting the memory of Bob Kalsu they can be reached at http://www.buffalocommunityboathouse.org 12 20 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasternOHBillsFan Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 (edited) 5 minutes ago, dock581 said: On this Veterans Day Bills fans should especially remember Bob Kalsu. Bob was the only U.S. professional athlete to die in Viet Nam. He is memorialized on the Bills Wall of Fame and his life and career documented with a cover story on Sports Illustrated in 2001 . Bob was an All American tackle at Oklahoma and became a starting guard for the Bills in 1968. He was voted the teams top rookie but enlisted at the end of the season. Tragically, he was killed in Vietnam in 1970 This is a great tribute to Bob Kalsu, and I really do appreciate this! Just to note, Veterans Day is to celebrate the living servicemembers who have served this nation and it often mixed up with Memorial Day, which is to memorialize those servicemembers no longer with us. For Canadians, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and others, it is Remembrance Day because World War I ended on this day and so many of their servicemembers were lost and wear a poppy for it, including my great uncle. Edited November 11, 2023 by EasternOHBillsFan 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goin Breakdown Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 This is great. You seem like a truly generous person. Thank you for sharing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dock581 Posted November 11, 2023 Author Share Posted November 11, 2023 1 hour ago, Goin Breakdown said: This is great. You seem like a truly generous person. Thank you for sharing this. It’s a very worthwhile, but little known organization Made me feel good thank you for your comment 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 Well, my Dad served during Korea as well as two uncles, and my Dad is still kicking at 93. I’m thankful everyday for him and his sometimes cantankerous self. I’m happy for those who made through their service and finished their #1 job, they came home alive. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let's Go Buffalo Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 Great Post! The ultimate sacrifice indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aristocrat Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 His son was born two days before he passed. Just tragic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwight in philly Posted November 11, 2023 Share Posted November 11, 2023 (edited) Thank you.. My father , my uncles , all served , one killed in WW2.. great post Edited November 11, 2023 by dwight in philly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kornfed Posted November 12, 2023 Share Posted November 12, 2023 Thanks very much for posting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
\GoBillsInDallas/ Posted March 30 Share Posted March 30 https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2024/03/30/bob-kalsu-statue-del-city-high-school-oklahoma-sooners-vietnam-war-hero/73151212007/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBFL Posted March 30 Share Posted March 30 Think all veterans who served and played in the NFL should have a section dedicated solely to them in Canton. 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted March 30 Share Posted March 30 57 minutes ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2024/03/30/bob-kalsu-statue-del-city-high-school-oklahoma-sooners-vietnam-war-hero/73151212007/ Impressed Barry Switzer showed up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hondo in seattle Posted March 30 Share Posted March 30 As a war veteran myself, I have a huge soft spot for those who served, especially those who served and paid the price. I think about Kelso every Memorial Day. He could have gotten a deferment and didn't. Wanted to serve and truly cared about his men. I'm proud he was a Bill. I'm so happy to see he's got a statue. Kalsu is exactly the kind of person that ought to be honored with a statue. I never liked seeing statues dedicated to Confederate, slave-holding traitors. And I'm not happy with some of the people we lionize and valorize these days. As a country, we need the right heroes - selfless, caring, honor and duty-bound guys like Bob Kalsu. Btw, I love BBFL's idea about a special section at Canton for players who served. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dock581 Posted March 30 Author Share Posted March 30 6 hours ago, \GoBillsInDallas/ said: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2024/03/30/bob-kalsu-statue-del-city-high-school-oklahoma-sooners-vietnam-war-hero/73151212007/ Thanks so much for posting this. I had not known about it and I will forward this great information to the group to which I donated my sailboat which will proudly carry it ‘s new name the Kalsu! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Behindenemylines Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 Thanks for posting and reminding us about the real importance of things outside of our love of football. Scott 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuvian Posted March 31 Share Posted March 31 thanks for this very fitting reminder and tribute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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