Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

OC bestows honorary degree on fallen soldier
Oklahoma Christian University ^ | Feruary 18, 2004 | Wes McKinzie

Posted on 02/19/2004 5:01:36 AM PST by gwjack

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Feb. 18, 2004 – The late Kyle Seitsinger is the first graduate of Oklahoma Christian University’s Class of 2004.

Oklahoma Christian bestowed an honorary Bachelor of Science degree on Seitsinger during a special ceremony following Wednesday’s chapel service. Kyle’s father Dan, mother Jo and sister Karla accepted the diploma from OC president Dr. Mike O’Neal and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Jeanine Varner.

Seitsinger, an Army Reserves sergeant, died along with seven other soldiers in Afghanistan on Jan. 29, when a weapons cache expoloded. He enrolled at Oklahoma Christian in the fall of 2000 and served several tours of duty during his time as a student. He last was called to active duty in November 2003, just 12 months short of his scheduled graduation. Seitsinger was a dual major in journalism and Spanish.

Seitsinger graduated from Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Mo., in May 1993. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps on Dec. 7, 1993. During his six-and-a-half-year tour of duty, Seitsinger guarded U.S. embassies in Brasilia, Moscow and the consulate in Rio de Janeiro. At each of his stops, men of his company gave spontaneous awards to Seitsinger for his leadership style. Seitsinger also was an expert marksman and rifle instructor at Camp Pendleton. He was named “Top Gun” at his embassy school graduation in Quantico, Va.

At Oklahoma Christian, Seitsinger worked for the Talon, the student newspaper, serving as an editor for two years. In 2002, he was selected as one of 16 student journalists to participate in the Summer Institute in Journalism sponsored by the Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities. His assignments included interviews with the Colombian president as well as U.S. representatives Ernest Istook and J.C. Watts.

In 2003, Seitsinger spent six months in Costa Rica in a program designed to immerse the learner in the Spanish language. He aspired to be an international correspondent living and reporting out of South America.

– OC –


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: army; degree; iraq; soldier
Kyle was outstanding in the classroom as well. My oldest daughter had him in several classes. He was one of the "good guys."

Gratitude to him and all others in the service of our country.

Gwjack

1 posted on 02/19/2004 5:01:37 AM PST by gwjack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: gwjack
Prayers for him and in honor of his service.
2 posted on 02/19/2004 8:46:13 AM PST by KC Burke
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: KC Burke; gwjack
We will never forget them...rest assured...

Two points for both of you...

If you want a little uplift right about now, read Susan Brady's column on NRO about her daughter's Girl Scout troop sendnign packages to the soldiers in Iraq..you'll smile, and cry..

Also, many here have participated in support the troops efforts..with packages, e-mail, and donations for supplies....in reading this it occured to me that the familes of fallen soldiers might take comfort in hearing from other Americans, all around the country, about how much we value, respect, and love their fallen sons and daughters for thier ultimatre sacrifice...it's a touchy matter....you don't want to invade the privacy of a grief stricken family,..but it could be a comfort to some..any thoughts?

3 posted on 02/19/2004 9:22:00 AM PST by ken5050
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ken5050
...about how much we value, respect, and love their fallen sons and daughters for their ultimate sacrifice...it's a touchy matter....you don't want to invade the privacy of a grief stricken family,..but it could be a comfort to some..any thoughts?

My son left for Army Basic yesterday...there can be few things more affirming of the role these heroes have played than that young men and women are following in their footsteps despite their supreme sacrifice.

4 posted on 02/19/2004 10:12:04 AM PST by KC Burke
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: KC Burke
I attended the regualar graduation ceremony yesterday. Two of the most touching moments came when the parents of Kyle Seitsinger were introduced and acknowledged by respectful applause and standing ovation. The second was when Kyle's name was read during the stream of graduates crossing the stage. His name was again met with a thunderous show of appreciation and standing ovation. His mother waved a cap/tassle and his father waved an American flag to acknowledge the response.

His was the only name to provoke such a response.

Gwjack

5 posted on 05/01/2004 6:21:39 AM PDT by gwjack (Will Rogers never met the current democrats.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson