Saint Anselm Mourns Fallen Hero, Marine Capt. Kyle Van De Giesen ’02
October 27, 2009
We invite you to honor Marine Capt. Kyle Van De Giesen '02 with your remembrances and comments, which you can provide by using this blog's commenting feature below.
Read message from Fr. Jonathan DeFelice, O.S.B., president of Saint Anselm College.
Marine Capt. Kyle Van De Giesen ’02
I was very sad to hear about the loss of Kyle in combat. My prayers go out to his family and friends. Kyle was one of the many people to honorably serve their country as a former St. Anselm'r graduate. As a St. Anselm's Community we should all be proud of his service to his country and mourn his loss of life defending our freedom. As a community we should try and help his family get through this time of sorrow as best we can.
Kyle (Vandy), I always admired you as an athlete and friend. I cherish the times we all shared during 1998-2000, Footbal, 202, etc… You gave up football and other college activities for something so much bigger. I am sorry I didn't have an appreciation for this earlier in life. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten, and we will miss your friendship and smile.
I did not know Captain Kyle Van De Geisen, USMC, but have known many courageous and patriotic young men like him. The Hilltop has a long and proud tradition of providing our country's armed forces and civilian law enforcement agencies with men and women of the highest caliber who go on to serve with distinction and honor.
Tragically, his service led to the ultimate sacrifice, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his young family and those that knew him. He wil be in my thoughts and prayers – and especially again on 10 November.
Hopefuly, the college will see fit to put a portrait of him up next to that of Captain (now General) Harvey Barnum – another distinguished Hilltop grad and Marine Corps officer.
Semper Fidelis Kyle…you have served your God, your Country, your Corps and your College well and faithfully.
Semper Fight brother Kyle – we will always remember your sacrifice and your never ending battle to fight on the side of right.
From the Halls of Montezuma,To the shores of Tripoli;We fight our country's battlesIn the air, on land, and sea; First to fight for right and freedom And to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title Of United States Marine.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze From dawn to setting sun; We have fought in every clime and placeWhere we could take a gun; In the snow of far-off Northern lands And in sunny tropic scenes;You will find us always on the job The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps Which we are proud to serve; In many a strife we've fought for life And never lost our nerve; If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven’s scenes; They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.
Thank you Kyle for your bravery, courage and service. You will be remembered forever as a great person. You and your family are in our prayers.
Remembering with great fondness the time I spent at Saint Anselm (a little longer than most) I have always remembered most fondly the time I spent with the young football team. As our quarterback, Kyle was not the typical field general. When others led through cheering, Kyle led with quiet resolve to get the job done and done well. One of our coaches during the scrimmage season used to tell us that we were "so young and dumb that we did not know how hard we were working." Even at a young age Kyle knew how hard he was working and what his goal was. Kyle knew that despite all of the pomp and testosterone, football was just a game. With steadfast determination he gave up playing football to concentrate on his academics and achieving his goal of becoming a pilot. Playing with Kyle during that scrimmage season, in practices, and when called upon during the 1999 campaign, still are some of the best memories of my life. Kyle was a cornerstone of the early team. As an offensive lineman there is a special bond between us and our QB. Our job is to protect him at all costs. The pain of losing such a talented and tremendous friend and teammate cuts very deep. While I hesitate to speak for anyone else, I believe that those of us who knew him through the 1998 and 1999 seasons were extremely fortunate to have known him and that we are better today for knowing him and knowing his sacrifice. Kyle, I am a better person for having known you as a friend, leader, buddy, and teammate. God's Speed to your eternal reward #12.
I never spoke with Kyle but I remember seeing him around campus in his Marine uniform. I always admired his commitment and passion. Thank you for your service and God Bless.
What a sad day for St A's and the Corps. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Semper Fi Kyle
I remember being shocked when I heard kile was leaving the football team after our first season. Now we can all look back and admire him for his courage strong will to do what he had always dreamed of doing. Just two weekends ago we were all together to reunite 10 yrs after we came to saint A's to play football, we were talking about how great an athlete and qaurterback kile was on the field. I am honored that I had a chance to play with Kile and will never forget what he has sacrificed for our country and his young family. My thoughts and prayers go out toall those close to Kile.
Lance
To the family and friends of Marine Capt. Kyle Van De Giesen,
I did not have the honor of knowing Kyle, but wanted you to know how sorry I was to hear of his tragic death. Reading about him, it is clear he was a very special man.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
I met Kyle during my senior year at St. A's, he was a freshman already committed to joining the Marine Corps and I had just returned from my summer at Marine OCS and was preparing to graduate and also pursue a USMC career.
Upon meeting Kyle I was immediately struck by how kind, gracious, and humble he was. Kyle had a magnetic personality, got along with everybody, and was a natural leader. Unfortunately the last time I saw Kyle was on my graduation day.
Sadly, I've now lost a few friends in both Iraq and Afghanistan but the loss of Kyle runs a little deeper, perhaps it was because I remember Kyle at 18 and I knew then how special he was and what a meaningful life he would lead.
Semper Fi Kyle, you're a real hero to us all and we will miss you.
Ian
I remember meeting Kyle as he entered his first year at Saint Anselm. He was an excellent athlete, but more importantly an outstanding person and teammate, with ambitions far beyond football. I remember talking to Kyle one evening near the Dana Center, following a practice, in which he told me that he was going to leave the team. The passion he spoke about pursuing his goals of becoming a pilot were unwavering. I was disappointed to lose a great teammate, but I knew it was for reasons bigger than the game of football. I always admired that about Kyle, reaching for his dreams as a very young man. I will never forget you!
I would like to pass on my family's sincerest condolences to his family. We will keep you all in our prayers and thoughts. I want to thank you Kyle for defending our country, our freedoms, and allowing us to live in peace. A thanks and prayers to all of the US military serving our country.
It was such an honor to know Kyle and play with him while at St. A's…..I never saw him without a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone around him. He was one of the "older kids" who took us freshman under his wing and made us feel comfortable. He did something that not many people can say they did; stand up for what is right and pursue something that he felt strongly about. God bless him and his family……my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends….