SARATOGA SPRINGS – How many people have read the full unabridged version of the Declaration of Independence?
That question prompted Dick Killeen, 75, (a member of Union's Class of 1951) who lives on Emerald Lane, to honor Independence Day by delivering a rolled-up copy of the historical document to about 40 mailboxes in his neighborhood.
“I've done it in the past, but it's usually on a scroll,” he said. “I thought (the unabridged version) was well worth reading. Every year I get older, I learn how much I don't know.”
He also added a note to the document indicating that he would replace any of his neighbors' worn or torn American flags. In the fall and spring, in recognition of Veterans Day, Election Day and Memorial Day, Killeen passed out several dozen miniature American flags now decorating lawns and mailboxes in the neighborhood.
One neighbor went so far as to encase his front yard garden with a wall of them.
Since moving to the area from Long Island two years ago with his wife, Patricia, Killeen has dutifully kept his community abreast of seasonal patriotic holidays and events with personal letters and free copies of the Stars and Stripes.
“It feels good driving in the road and seeing flag after flag in front of mailboxes,” he said.
A native of Schenectady, Killeen served in the Pacific during World War II. In 1947, he enrolled at Union College. After graduation, he took a job with New York Telephone, which became NYNEX, where he crisscrossed the state, climbing the corporate ladder before retiring 40 years later as the corporate director for personnel and administration for the Northeast.
“I sometimes get saddened when you mention Armistice Day and a young clerk doesn't know what you're talking about,” he said. “Our national heritage and history is something that we can be proud of. I'm extremely proud to have served.”
Killeen said he has heard back from neighbors (usually via e-mail) who said they've enjoyed reading his latest gift.
A Canadian friend said she was happy to have read the full version of the declaration – something she'd never done before. A neighbor, who lost his father in World War II when he was 6 years old, said he simply appreciated the effort.
Throughout his professional career, Killeen wore another hat a home: fund-raising for the Red Cross, Salvation Army, YMCA, United Way, mental health organizations and Union College. Plaques from myriad organizations decorate the walls of his home office.
“I believe in civics, the community, education and health,” he said. “The need never stops. You have to keep after it, year after year.”
He readily acknowledges that he wouldn't be anywhere without the help of his wife of 52 years. He calls Patricia “the best thing that ever happened to me” and says she's his “technical staff,” who keeps the books and writes the letters.
The couple met after Killeen returned from the war and brushed up for college boards by tutoring students for upcoming final exams at his old high school.
“I tutored a beautiful young girl by the name of Patricia Morey, and we started to date – after the Regents,” he said.
The couple lived in the area for a couple of years at the beginning of Killeen's career when he worked with Mayor Addison Mallery to create the National Racing Museum.
The Killeens have three grown children: Jeffrey, 50, chairman and CEO of GlobalSpec in Troy; and 48-year-old twins Richard, a physical therapist, and Susan, now a full-time mother.
In addition to his love for a country he said is without equal, Killeen shares advice that served him well throughout his life: “Fall in love with your job and you'll never have to work again,” and “If you believe in something, you can never do too much.”