|
|
 |
 |
|
Capt. Christopher Scott Seifert - 27 years old from Easton, PA.
Chris was an athlete, a musician and an outstanding student. However, it was his smile that people remember best. History professor, Robert Stinson recalls Chris. "He had an absolutely winning smile. You saw him coming and saw his smile, and he lit up the morning." Mr. Stinson was Christopher's academic adviser and instructor for two courses.
He grew up in Williams Township, PA - a rural community near Easton, and was the only child of Thomas and Helen Seifert. During his school career he ran cross-country and track. He played saxophone in the jazz, concert and marching bands. He was selected for the National Honor Society and participated in peer mediation and the ecology club. Principal John Martuscelli recalling Seifert as, "One of the best students in that class." After high school, Chris went on to college at Moravian College located in Bethlehem, PA. While Chris was a history major, he enrolled in the Army Reserve Officers Trainging Corps at nearby Lehigh University. His interest was military history, and for a time he considered a teaching career.
"But he was very happy with his decision to join the ROTC unit." Robert Stinson proclaimed.
Capt. Seifert was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division based out of Ft. Campbell, KY.
However....Chris never made it to Iraq. On March 23, 2003 - the day before his unit was to move from Kuwait to Iraq, he was killed along with another soldier in a grenade attack that a fellow soldier was charged with committing.
Soon after, a small group gathered in "The Vault" (the room where the brigade's classified material is stored) to unveil a mounted glass shadow box in his honor at the room entrance. In the box are photos of him an American flag. "We don't honor him because he was killed. We honor him because he was so good and his death represents a huge loss to us." Said Col. Ben Hodges, commander of the 1st Brigade.
After the memorial unveiling, Col. Hodges left Ft. Campbell for a new assignment, and there was a fear that his departure, as well as the departures of others who had worked with Chris, would mean the dead soldier would be forgotten, unless there was some sort of memorial.
The other soldier killed in the grenade attack was Air Force Maj. Gregory Stone - 40 years old from Boise, Idaho. Capt. Christopher Scott Seifert is survived by his parents, Thomas and Helen Seifert and his wife Terry Flowers-Seifert, who also had been a student at Moravian College. The couple had their first child, Benjamin, four months prior to Chris' death.
Robert Stinson called Seifert's death at the hands of another soldier "incredibly poignant." ===================================== =====================================
He was one of the greatest guys I have ever met. The last time I saw Seifey, it was on his wedding day. Amidst all of the craziness and rushing around of that day, he made time to attend Lehigh's ROTC Comissioning ceremony that morning. I think about that and I feel that it speaks volumes about what kind of man Seifey was. He was a man of great integrity, valor and pride. My heart broke when I heard that he had fallen. Whenever I hear the song "Love me when I'm gone" from 3 Doors Down, I think of Seifey.
"I only knew of Capt. Chris Seifert through an e-mail mistake on the AKO sight. I never knew of anyone who shared my name in the Army. I was shocked as were some friends and family. I had the news on the time of the announcement of him being a casulty.
I will miss Chris as many soldiers who got to know him will. I ran the D.A.R.E program in Baumholder. As busy as Chris was in 1/6 he always had time to help make D.A.R.E certificates and volunteer his time. I know one day his child will know how special his father was, as do the soldiers who knew him."
I knew Chris way back in Wilson High School. We were in the Wilson Band together and my thoughts of him were always seeing him playing his sax. He was a wonderful guy and funny also. Everytime I listen to the song "Letters from War" I think of him and his sacrifice to this counrty.
"Chris and I were in the same class from fifth through twelfth grades. By the time we graduated from high school, he was one of my closest friends.
"I went to school with Chris from pre school at St. Peters until we graduated in 1993. There are no words which can express the depth of his passing. He was one of the nicest, most positive people I have ever known. I think of him everyday; what a smile. He is not only missed in "the Township", but at my home in NC."
"I'll never forget going through the Basic Course with you, the times we spent hanging out together while recovering from our injuries (yours in IOBC, mine in Ranger School); the laughter, the good-natured ribbing... most of all, the shared desire to be the best platoon leaders we could be once it was all done. Time passed, we didn't stay in touch, we became those platoon leaders, then XOs, and then captains."
"we were friends...both a little anxious, both working hard together at Camp PA...I remember seeing pictures of your new baby, I remember lauging at the S2 and S3 together, I remember being the first one to hold you after you had been shot,
"For several years I had the honor of working with Cpt. Seifert in Baumholder, Germany. He was an outstanding leader and a truly honorable man. Cpt. Seifert was exceptional soldier who more than earned the respect and admiration of all those he led and worked with.
"I�ve had the picture of Chris and I on my wall for about 6 years now from when we were on the way to Albania. I wish I could articulate how much I respect that man. I was shocked to hear of his death when we hit Baghdad and got an old Stars and Stripes. I am truly honored to have had an opportunity to serve with him and to learn from him.
"Many of us who served with him still carry him in our hearts. He was a good officer and a great man. Since Chris' life was taken, there has been a golf tournament each year to remember Chris an to help raise money for his son, Ben's future. If you know anyone that would be interested or if you need more information please send an e-mail at [email protected]. This is a great thing that they are doing to ensure a bright future for a fallen's kid. |
YOU ARE VISITOR:
�2007 Fallen Heroes/NASCAR World