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 Universitys Class of 2004.
Oklahoma Christian bestowed an honorary Bachelor of Science degree on Seitsinger during a special ceremony following Wednesdays chapel service. Kyles father Dan, mother Jo and sister Karla accepted the diploma from OC president Dr. Mike ONeal 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
Gratitude to him and all others in the service of our country.
Gwjack
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?
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.
His was the only name to provoke such a response.
Gwjack
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