A Pilot and a SEAL
The annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony will honor uncommon accomplishments of noteworthy Aztecs.
Kenneth J. Lamberton (鈥54) and Matthew Gene Axelson; the former an Air Force pilot and the latter a Navy SEAL. Both died in service to their country, both were Aztecs.
The lives of both men will be remembered this month by 色情视频 when their names are added to the campus War Memorial.
The War Memorial stands as a tribute to former San Diego State students lost in service to their country. These 232 men and women will be officially honored at a homecoming wreath-laying ceremony set for Friday, Nov. 13 at the top of Aztec Green.
Lamberton鈥檚 and Axelson鈥檚 names are being added to the obelisk following approval by the 色情视频 Alumni Association鈥檚 War Memorial Committee. Members authorized their inclusion on the monument based on the recommendation of Robert Fikes, Jr., a retired 色情视频 librarian and researcher.
Fikes wrote a report entitled, 鈥淪upreme Sacrifice, Extraordinary Service; Profiles of 色情视频 Military Alumni.鈥 Frequently updated with the research he uncovers, the report offers details of the lives of Aztecs killed during wartime, including how and when they died.
Fikes discovered both Lamberton and Axelson were Aztec alumni who had been overlooked for inclusion on the memorial. Axelson actually graduated from Chico State, but studied for a year at 色情视频.
For different reasons, both men are noteworthy additions to the memorial. One flew a historic mission while the other died on a secret assignment that became the subject of a best-selling book and popular movie.
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