The Fort Riley Regional Training Campus was memorialized in honor of the late Lt. Gen. Richard "Dick" Seitz during an official ceremony July 22 at the entrance to the training campus.
The ceremony included several family members who helped with the unveiling of the horse jump that displays the Seitz family name at the corner of Estes and Armistead Roads.
Brig. Gen. John S. Kolasheski, deputy commanding general for maneuver and speaker for the ceremony, said one of the first things he did upon being stationed at Fort Riley was visit the training campus, specifically the Mission Training Complex.
"Not only is it staffed with top-notch professionals, but its ability to train people in simulations so they enter into working live training on operational equipment," Kolasheski said.
Kolasheski spoke about Lt. Gen. Seitz's many accomplishments in both his Army career and retirement.
During his time in the Army, Seitz was a leader during some the country's most unsettled times. In 1939, he accepted a commission as a second lieutenant and attended jump school, where he became one of the Army's first paratroopers.
"I think it is safe to say that General Seitz was the epitome of an American Hero and the truest of Kansans," Kolasheski said.
Seitz was born in Leavenworth, Kansas and attended Kansas State University.
At age 25, Seitz was promoted to major and was given command of the 2nd Battalion of the 517th Parachute Infantry Regimental Combat Team. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and served as the Army's youngest battalion commander.
After 35 years of service, Seitz came home to Kansas and continued to serve in the Fort Riley community. He was a trustee of the St. John's Military Academy, chairman of the Fort Riley National Bank among many other community events.
Seitz died June 8, 2013.
John Seitz, Seitz's nephew, said this memorialization is personal for him.
"For me, it's recognition that my uncle was the hero I always thought he was," John said. "He was like my best friend, he was like my dad."
John Seitz said his uncle never stopped caring for the community and taking care of Soldiers.
"After you retire from the Army, you can still be a part of it and make a contribution and help Soldiers and their families, and he did that every single day," John said. "His legacy was taking care of Soldiers."
John said when he drives past Seitz Elementary School, which was named after his uncle in 2012, it reminds him of what kind of person his uncle was.
"I feel like I'm supposed to bring a box of chocolates and an apple for the teachers there," John said. "That's what my uncle always did. He took the principal a box of chocolates."
Patricia Seitz, Seitz's daughter, said while the naming of Seitz Elementary School has had time to sink in, the memorialization of the training complex still seems to be a dream. She said seeing her father's name on post reminds her to follow in his footsteps.
"His measure of success was not himself, but what 'have I done to make other people successful?'" Patricia said. "It's a reminder to me each time I see his name or see his picture, [to ask] what have you done today to follow in his footsteps."
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