Sgt. Kevin Balduf: A Message from the President
UCM |
The Lipscomb community often has opportunities to rejoice and celebrate together. We also come together when members of our family experience great loss.
As many of you may already know, Sgt. Kevin Balduf, a 2002 David Lipscomb High School graduate, was killed in action on May 12 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. A member of the United States Marine Corp, Sgt. Balduf was assigned to the 8th Communications Battalion II Marine Expeditionary Force. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 and 2011 and to Iraq in 2006. In 2004, he received the Bronze Star with Combat Valor, awarded for bravery and meritorious service.
This young man embodied the character we want for all of our students—a strong faith, integrity and a commitment to service. We are proud of Sgt. Balduf and the way he represented the Lipscomb family.
Sgt. Balduf’s funeral is set for 3 p.m. Monday, June 13 at Woodmont Hills. Visitation with the family is Sunday, June 12 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. and Monday, June 13 from
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Woodmont Hills. He is the grandson of our own Jo Newsom, who works in the Development Office, and the nephew of Stacy Newsom, who worked at the elementary school for a number of years. Sgt. Balduf is survived by his wife, Amy, and young daughters, Stephanie and Eden.In honor of Sgt. Balduf’s life and his service to all of us through his military career, flags on the Lipscomb campus will fly at half-staff beginning Sunday and remain at half-staff until he is laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, June 15.
Lipscomb has offered assistance to the family and will continue to support them during this tremendous time of loss. Please join me in praying for them as they seek to find comfort and peace during this time.