The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Teacher, coach remember soldier
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. McKee recalled as hard-working student, athlete
It’s been about 20 years since Becky Bartholomew had Kyle McKee in gym class at Riverside High School, but she remembers him well.
“He was such a hard worker, but he always had time to help other people,” she said. “He had such a kind heart.
“You meet someone who always has that impish twinkle in their eye, and that was Kyle. He was polite and respectful, but he was all boy.”
The 2003 graduate lost his life, along with four other U.S. Army soldiers, Nov. 12 in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in Egypt. The soldiers were members of the Multinational Force and Observers, a peacekeeping mission.
McKee, 35, was a UH-60 helicopter repairer assigned to Aviation Company, Task Force Sinai. Originally from Leroy Township, he enlisted in the Army in 2003 and arrived in Egypt in July 2020.
“Kyle knew from the get-go he was headed for the military,” said Bartholomew, noting that his older brother, Shane, had served as well.
She used to go to all McKee’s football games and wrestling matches, and got to know the family.
“He w ill be sorely missed,” she said. “He will be remembered at the Riverside Veterans Wall of Honor and at a kiosk inside. Riverside has a very strong heritage of remembering its veterans. …
“If you ever met him, you would never forget him.”
Scott Blank, who served as Riverside’s head wrestling coach from 1998 to 2014, said McKee was well thought of by teammates as well as coaches.
“He was the quiet, hardworking, really good kid that would do whatever you asked,” he said. “It’s a rarity to get a kid that’s like that.”
McKee, who had served as a crew chief in Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea, was the father of two boys, 11 and 3, and had a daughter on the way. His wife, Nikki, was due to deliver “at any time,” said his father, Steve, on Nov. 14.
Because of the pandemic, he was unable to
be with his wife for the birth, and remained on duty in Egypt, his father said.
The soldiers were part of an international force that monitors the 1981 Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement.
McKee’s awards and decorations include the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, NonCommissioned Officer Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, Senior Aircrew Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.
Others killed in the crash were Capt. Seth Vandekamp, 31, from Katy, Texas; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Dallas Garza ,34, from Fayetteville, North Carolina; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Marwan Ghabour, 27, from Marlborough, Massachusetts; and Sgt. Jeremy Sherman, 23, from Watseka, Illinois.
“It is with profound
“You meet someone who always has that impish twinkle in their eye, and that was Kyle. He was polite and respectful, but he was all boy.” — Becky Bartholomew, Kyle’s gym teacher
sadness that we mourn this tragic loss of life,” said Col. David S. Sentell, commander of Task Force Sinai. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends and loved ones of our fallen during this most difficult time. They should know that their nation w ill continue to honor their sacrifice.”
The cause of the crash is under investigation.