Memories Of Gen. Chastain, A Life Well-Lived, Last Forever

By: DeAntha Wright-Thornburg

I sat at home Saturday night at my desk, staring at my computer screen and looking out the window. I couldn’t get the words out. My little critters, as I call my hummingbirds, were coming in for an evening drink.

Why couldn’t I write?  Because I couldn’t move, the entire day was a sad tragedy.   For weeks and weeks, I had poured myself into a celebration of a well-lived life. I have worked so many hours this past month, so much so that I was exhausted to the point that I fell asleep in the bath last Friday night before the party on Saturday.

It was supposed to be a day of celebration: family, friends, neighbors and former colleagues from the past 40 years of military service. You see, it wasn’t about me, it was all about showing a gentleman of 90 years just how important his life was and how much our community appreciated all he had accomplished. This was our time and our opportunity to say thank you. Operation Salute was meant to celebrate a well-lived life. One that Major General Richard (Dick) Chastain had lived serving Montgomery County, his community and his country proudly.

As they say in the military, Major General Chastain never wore his rank on his shoulder. Here in the community, he was Dick Chastain, a local farmer from the northern part of the county. He graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. He was a leader, a mentor and a friend to hundreds around the state of Indiana.

In the blink of an eye, a moment in time, all is gone forever. At 9:06 am Saturday morning, I got a phone call.  I had a dozen balloons on the table — the two most prominent had bold writing, Happy 90th Birthday. The day was to be a celebration. One to be a gift to a gentleman who had given his all to the community he served and loved dearly. This couldn’t be happening. I had two cakes to pick up, and a museum exhibit opened as part of the reception.

With that phone call, all I could hear was. “There won’t be a party today. They are gone; both are gone. The house blew up. They are dead.” I am on my way to Indy to be with my brother. I need to be with my brother. I’ll call you when I know more. That was all Cindy Chastain could say.

I was in a state of disbelief, this can’t be real. I had to call my friend. I had to see for myself. Is this true? It couldn’t be; it’s all too sad to be true. I had two cakes yet to pick up. Instead of purchasing balloons, I returned and got poster board, black markers and tape. There was no way that two loving and kind individuals could die simultaneously. Is it all true? It can’t be for real. I had to see it for myself. I was in no condition to drive. I know that sounds silly, but I knew my weakness and knew I was out of control. My hands shook as I attempted to write the message to put on the door at the Armory. Due to an unforeseen Emergency, there will be no party today.

I asked my friend Lynn Grayson to help me with the program months ago. She is a former military nurse, and her husband was on active duty before he joined the National Guard years ago. I called her as I drove to Darlington to hang the sign on the door. I don’t like to ask for any kind of help. But I knew I couldn’t drive, I was numb. I found myself driving more than 100 mph on SR 47 North. That is something I could never do again. I finished the sign and taped it to the door, my hands still shaking.

I started to send text messages to all my military contacts. Hoping those who were coming in from a great distance wouldn’t have to make the long trip. All I could write was the same message I left on the door at the Armory. Mostly because I thought it all was a bad joke. This couldn’t be happening. I asked Lynn to drive, I wanted to see the house for myself. She reassured me it couldn’t be a joke, but we will go anyway. We drove through the beautiful countryside from Darlington back west to the Chastain house. Lynn was the calm one between the two of us. I shook in tears; my stomach was tied in knots. I kept texting messages through social media. It was the only avenue I had to reach many of Chastain’s family, friends and military colleagues.

As we turned off the highway, we saw a Coal Creek tanker truck approaching us. I remember holding my breath. The only words I could get out were “It is real.” Then there was silence between Lynn and me. We continued west until we could still see Crawfordsville’s ladder truck still showering the debris with water. There was nothing left, just blackened, charred timbers. There was no house, no roof, nothing. This beautiful two-story house that General Chastain built was gone.

For hours I sorted through pictures and newspaper clipping from the past 40 years.  Going over video tapes trying to find that perfect segment to use. I wanted Operation Salute to be the ideal gift for a 90-year-old. A gift he could share with the people who knew him best. Those whom he served with in the Indiana Army National Guard. Those he sat beside at the Montgomery County Council, those who knew him in the Kiwanis. The soldiers he served beside him. They respected and loved him.  He was a dedicated individual who made everyone who entered their home feel like family.

I attempted to reach out to as many as possible using the social network. Still, we had a small crowd gathering at the armory, wanting to help in any way they could. It was a somber moment, seeing the tables and decorations on the court.

We returned to Darlington knowing there was nothing to do but put the chair and tables away. I continued to share with those who failed to get the social media message that there would be no party. Sadly, no celebration whatsoever.

Some family friends arrived and offered to help. I packed up the items that General Chastain had selected to be put on display. There were several. A few weeks back, we toured his home, and he pointed out the most important items he wanted to share for Saturday’s party. I remember him standing near a favorite piece of memorabilia and proudly telling me the story about when and where he received the honor. He continued chatting, taking the time to tell me more about his favorite pieces.

What I remember most was how happy he was to show me around the house, sharing the hundreds of honors he had been awarded during his 40-plus years of military career. When my husband and I left his home, our SUV was filled with several precious pieces of memorabilia that he valued most.

The few pieces of memorabilia we took from the house that day are all that is left. I remember his smile and his pride in sharing the family pictures. He shared the memories of his late wife and many grandchildren. He was so happy and proud of his family and his life. The Chastain family has the items he treasured most. The pictures, his military hats, his honors and awards, and the boots he wore. The boots he wore throughout many years of his career. To many, they might be just an old pair of boots. But those who have walked the path of a military career know the hills our soldiers climb.

Major General Dick Chastain, thank you for serving our community, our country. But most of all, thank you for being a mentor and friend to so many. Operation Salute will go down in history as a beautiful success and a celebration. By proclamation from Mayor Todd Barton and the City of Crawfordsville. August 5th, 2023, will be remembered by proclamation Major General Richard Chastain Day forever, Rest In Peace, General.

-DeAntha Wright-Thornburg worked for the Indiana Department of Transportation for more than 30 years and is also a freelance journalist.