Robert Augustine Seidel III

West Point, 2004

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by The Catholic Review on January 29, 2007:

Fallen hero remembered 23-year-old Emmitsburg parishioner killed in Iraq George P. Matysek Jr. gmatysek@catholicreview.org EMMITSBURG - On a day set aside for Americans to remember those who have given their lives in defense of their country, more than 1,000 people filled the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton May 29, Memorial Day, to remember a son of Emmitsburg who died May 18 serving in Iraq. Bishop W. Francis Malooly, western vicar, presided over a funeral liturgy for Lt. Robert A. Seidel III, a 23-year-old parishioner of St. Joseph in Emmitsburg who was killed when a bomb exploded near his Humvee in Baghdad. A 2004 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy of West Point, Lt. Seidel was a rifle platoon leader in Company B, 2nd Battalion of the 22nd Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army. Remembered by family and friends as a dedicated officer who put the concerns of his troops above himself, Lt. Seidel was hailed during the two-hour liturgy for his courage, patriotism and heroism. "We are comforted by the truth that Rob's good life is an inspiration," said Father James Kiernan, C.M., a former pastor of St. Joseph who was the main celebrant for a funeral liturgy that included six other area priests, a Lutheran pastor and a Methodist pastor. "I found Rob to be a man of respect, a good person," said Father Kiernan, recalling that as a young man, Lt. Seidel served his parish as an altar boy and a high school representative on the pastoral council. Lt. Seidel showed a "spirit of unselfishness" and a "boldness in being of service to others," the priest said. "He built up the kingdom of God through these virtues he lived in his lifetime," Father Kiernan said. During the liturgy, Ed Wyatt, an uncle of Lt. Seidel, read from an evaluation report from his nephew's company commander, Capt. Michael Pecina. The report described Lt. Seidel as "one of the most professional, humble and intelligent officers" the captain had known. The report said Lt. Seidel led "numerous missions under enemy fire" and served as a "relentless tactician" in securing intelligence on insurgency in Iraq. Eulogists recalled how Lt. Seidel wanted to serve his country ever since he was a boy. One read from a poem Lt. Seidel had written as a child that spoke of the sacrifice of a soldier giving his life for his country. "He believed everything we're doing in Iraq is helping the Iraqi people," said Major Jeff Logan, a friend. Major Logan recalled a poem Lt. Seidel wrote recently from an Iraqi desert in which he described himself as a "father" to the 30 young men under his command - vowing to protect them as best he could. "I ask the Lord to watch over my boys if today is my day," wrote Lt. Seidel, who was presented with five posthumous military honors, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. As mourners sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic at the conclusion of the liturgy, they streamed out of the basilica and processed somberly to the nearby cemetery at St. Joseph, walking behind a flag-draped coffin escorted by an honor guard. Passing between lines of flag-bearing citizens from the Patriot Guard Riders on a sun-drenched day, mourners crowded the cemetery in complete silence. Soldiers fired a volley of three shots in honor of their fallen brother and a lone bugler played Taps. Father Vincent J. O'Malley, C.M., pastor of St. Joseph, told The Catholic Review the death of his parishioner has shaken his faith community. "In this small town of 2,200, everybody knows this young man," said Father O'Malley. "The whole town suffers with his family." After learning of Lt. Seidel's death, Father O'Malley visited his parents, Robert Seidel Jr. and Sandra Seidel of Gettysburg. Lt. Seidel's grandfather, Robert Seidel Sr., is a former mayor of Emmitsburg. "Faith is central to their lives," the priest said. "When I saw (his mother) she told me that he's in God's hands now. She said, 'God has a plan.'" In honor of Lt. Seidel's life, parishioners plan to erect a statue of St. Michael the Archangel, one of Lt. Seidel's favorite saints, at a pregnancy center and food bank in Emmitsburg where his mother is a volunteer. A scholarship fund has also been established in his name. Contributions may be made to the Rob Seidel Scholarship Fund, Catoctin High School, 14745 Sabillasville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788.

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