Although my aging memory fails at recalling all of the particulars that I was told, certain points remain clear. Colonel Kessler was, himself, at a very young age, a German immigrant who attended West Point Military Academy, joined the United States Armed Services and, as is obvious by his title and the fact that other military establishments were honoured with the appointment of carrying his highly-esteemed name, served the country exceptionally well thruogh-out his career. Indeed, he was, and remains even to this day, a most remarkable gentleman.

Through more recent research, I was also able to find other information about him, form various sources on the Internet, and include them here, below.

Personally, I must add my own expression of disgust with the conditions of the battery that commemorates him toay at Fort Tilden. This is not to imply that the conditions of all of the other structures is any less deplorable, but I do recall one particular evening, as I sojourned at "the fort", I'd happened upon a vandal or vandals, engaged in spray-painting one of the batteries. Immediately, I notified the Parks Police and was almost apathetically informed that they saw no particular cause or reason to come to the site because they were located across Jamaica Bay and, by the time they'd arrive, there was no doubt that the damage would be complete and the vandals would be gone. I was also sternly advised not to attend to the matter on my own since I was alone and the location of the bunker was rather isolated. Some vandals, it was reported, carried weapons with them and my intervention could result in injury or even death, hardly worth the sacrifice, considering the fact that, even though I might delay the efforts, I certainly wouldn't stop further damage in future. I was instructed to leave the scene immediately and when the police made their next rounds, they would note the incident and damage appropriately.

To the point of this page, how-ever, I include the information that I've been fortunate enough to have found on the Internet, and with the deepest possible sincerity, I encourage and implore any-one who might have any further information concerning Colonel Kessler and, most certainly, Mr. Agnew, to feel free to contact me at your convenience. I would be honoured and most delighted to include it here, with credit to the source, if desired.

This said, and with highest regard, esteem and pride, I close with my heart-felt gratitude to Colonel Kessler, for all that he gave to these United States of America and to all of us here... and indeed, through-out the world. May his memory live on in the greatest dignity and with respect and gratitude due him and his family.