Norwich remembers Heath Kelly

A Norwich University alumnus was murdered in a nationally reported restaurant killing in Carson City, Nev., according to an announcement by President Richard Schneider.

Five people were killed in the Sept. 6 IHOP shooting, including Maj. Heath Kelly, 35, a 1998 Norwich graduate. His was the second death of a Norwich graduate in a month.

"We respected and loved him and this loss hurts badly," said NU Chaplain William Wick, who knew Kelly throughout his four years at Norwich. "You expect one is going to lose his life in harm's way serving our nation, not when you're back home having breakfast at a restaurant near your home . . . it just seems absolutely senseless."

Eduardo Sencion, the gunman, had a history of mental illness and killed himself in the IHOP parking lot after an "eight-minute rampage," according to a Fox News article.

Although he was born in Louisiana and resided in Nevada, Kelly did not stray from his Norwich roots. His wife Tracy and he were both in the corps, and the couple hosted send-off parties for new students, according to Schneider's announcement.

"It is a profound loss, not only for Norwich and Maj. Kelly's family, but also for the country," Schneider said in a message to the Norwich community. "He lived a great life."

Kelly was "a great model for a young Norwich graduate," said Lt. Col. William Passalacqua, a member of the N.U. commandant staff, who knew Kelly as a student. "He was a motivated cadet, a good example to others."

"I had the honor of knowing Heath Kelly," Wick said. He described Kelly as "always intense, he was a PT (physical training) stud."

Fox Newsnoted that while being a "no-nonsense soldier," his sternness "would melt when he talked about his family."

Wick conducted Kelly's wedding in the White Chapel at NU, and recalled that it was one-of-a-kind for him. Since Kelly's bride was Chinese, Wick told the groom to show his worthiness of his bride by remembering facts about her youth. Wick recalled Kelly flunking this test, but said that in Chinese culture, "The groom can redeem himself by showing his strength … one way to show strength was in pushups."

According to Wick, he ordered Kelly to "drop down and give me 50 in his dress blues, he (pumped) out (those) 50 pushups like it was nothing."

Kelly was a cadet major his senior year at Norwich, according to the 1998 War Whoop. "He was assigned to my battalion," said Passalacqua. "He took his role very seriously."

He added that Kelly created operation orders his senior year that were brilliant and that he took his job seriously and became a Norwich graduate that represented his school well.

"He was very energetic and wanted things to go right," Passalacqua said.

Wick noted that Kelly was also known for "a whack sense of humor. (If) you found some humorous things going on, Heath was in the middle of it."

According to his obituary, Kelly became a second lieutenant of field artillery and served in Korea and Iraq. He received "the Army Commendation Medal with two Silver Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal."

"(Kelly) was proud to be a commissioned officer," Passalacqua said. "(And) proud to be a father." He left behind his wife, a son and a daughter, according to his obituary.

A ceremony was held at the National Guard Headquarters in Nevada, according to the Fox News article. More than 700 mourners showed up at this memorial, at which a "last role call" was conducted, where the posthumously promoted Lieutenant Colonel Kelly's name was called three times without answer.

In the Fox News article, which called Kelly a "battle-tested warrior," Gov. Brian Sandoval said that "three of our best have died this week." He connected the tragedy to the upcoming Sept. 11 anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

He was a "good student; hardworking man; devoted to country," Wick said "He spoke his mind, a high-speed, principled, godly man. It was all or nothing for Heath. You're gonna do it? You're gonna do it right."

The chaplain officiated Kelly's funeral in Louisiana on Sept. 17. He said that Band Company members came "from around the world" to pay their last respects.

The Norwich corps of cadets also conducted echo taps in remembrance of Kelly. "After echo taps played, (Band Company) all went to the front of Jackman, where Kelly's roommate and other people who knew Kelly were formed up. We got to greet them, and they told us about how great a person Kelly was," said Charles Thaxter, a 20-year old junior architecture major from Pepperell, Mass., Band Company's current first sergeant.

Thaxter added that Kelly's roommate and fellow band members came and told the cadets about Kelly. "(The alumni said) we should get to know each other, and keep the family going," he said. "We had that kind of bond as band members … (the meeting) reinforced what he did and what I'm going to do."

Wick said, "Heath was a guy who would tell you the truth. (At Norwich, if) the kid looked all right, he'd say, ‘That's all right.' If he wasn't, he'd just glare at him. What he said, you could bank on. He knew when to lock it on, lock it off."

"It's a significant man we've lost," said Wick. "A great American soldier."

"I'm glad I got to know him," said Passalacqua. "He lived (the) motto, (I will try) very well. If his life wasn't cut short, (he would have gone) on to do more things (and) continue to represent Norwich (with) distinction."

A memorial trust fund has been set up in Kelly's memory (http://heathkellytrust.com).