Memorial ceremony honors fallen Sky Soldier
By David Ruderman
USAG Vicenza Public Affairs Office
Soldiers from 173 Airborne Brigade Combat Teem honor the life and service of Sgt. Kyle Osborn during a memorial ceremony Oct. 4 at Caserma Ederle. Photo by Barbara Romano, Photo lab.
10/5/2012 CASERMA EDERLE, Italy- More than 200 people gathered at the Caserma Ederle chapel Oct. 4 to pay tribute to fallen Sky Soldier, Sgt. Kyle B. Osborn. Osborn, who served as the senior sniper with Scout Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, died Sept. 13 in Muqer, Afghanistan, from wounds sustained when his unit was attacked with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.
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“He is survived by his wife, Maggie Osborn, and his parents, Creighton and Miriam Osborn, who attended the ceremony along with senior leaders of 173rd ABCT, USAG Vicenza and U.S. Army Africa.
“Three weeks ago today we lost Kyle during combat operations in Muqer, Afghanistan. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends. We cannot replace his loss, but know that we in the First Rock family, and the entire Vicenza Military Community, grieve with you,” said Capt. Bradley Benjamin, 1st-503rd Infantry Battalion rear detachment commander.
He characterized Osborn as a scholar-athlete with the drive and determination to reach any goal at which he set his sights. After enlisting in November 2007, Osborn attended Airborne, Ranger, sniper and jumpmaster schools in short order.
“Not bad for a guy with just four years in the Army,” said Benjamin.
The Osborns arrived in Vicenza in February this year and immediately made a positive impact on the Sky Soldier community, he said.
Maggie became involved in the battalion Family Readiness Group and Kyle, “already a leader with outstanding qualifications, joined the battalion scout platoon, a recon element reserved for only the most talented and well trained paratroopers,” he said.
“As a battalion asset, the Scout Platoon conducts missions of high risk and skilled precision, which was a perfect fit for Kyle,” said Benjamin.
He described Osborn as an energetic son, a devoted husband, a loyal brother, a proven leader and an exemplary noncommissioned offer. “He took pride in all that he did. In a unit laden with young, talented leaders, Kyle shone like a star,” he said.
Benjamin related remembrances submitted by Osborn’s brothers-in-arms from downrange and words of thanks from Maggie Osborn to her husband’s Sky Soldier Family. Sgt. 1st Class Guillermo Orozco delivered a Soldier’s tribute to Osborn, describing him as a true American hero.
“Kyle was the most motivated Soldier I ever had the pleasure of working with,” said Orozco. “Kyle was not only my Soldier, he was my fellow jumpmaster, my go-to sniper and my favorite Ranger.”
Chaplain (Lt. Col) David Hall officiated, reading from Ecclesiastes and delivering words of comfort to the Osborns and the Sky Soldier Family.
“Today we are all Osborn Family,” said Hall. “It is a time of mourning. Not what we wanted, but also not what we could avoid. These times or seasons come without our vote and often without warning.
“May the Lord bless and comfort each of us here today as we grieve,” he said.
The memorial concluded with a symbolic last calling of the roll, a color guard firing a 21-gun salute, the playing of Taps and the paying of respects to the deceased.