Army 1st Lt. Kevin J. Gaspers

Died April 23, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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26, of Hastings, Neb.; assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.; died April 23 in Sadah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his location. Also killed were Staff Sgt. Kenneth E. Locker Jr., Staff Sgt. William C. Moore, Sgt. Randell T. Marshall, Sgt. Brice A. Pearson, Sgt. Michael L. Vaughan, Spc. Jerry R. King, Spc. Michael J. Rodriguez and Pfc. Garrett C. Knoll.

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Hastings native killed in Iraq

By Josh Funk

The Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — A Hastings, Neb., man died in Iraq this week while serving in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, officials at his alma mater confirmed April 24.

Lt. Kevin Gaspers, 26, died April 23, said Marie Butler, principal of St. Cecilia Catholic High School.

Officials at the school learned about Gaspers’ death this morning after his family asked that a priest be sent to their house. One of Gaspers’ sisters said April 23 that family members did not want to be interviewed.

Pam Gaspers told the Hastings Tribune newspaper that she and her husband, John, were notified April 24 of Kevin’s death April 23.

“I’m just numb right now,” she said.

Saint Cecilia’s 203 high school students and 174 middle school students remembered Gaspers on April 24 at their daily Mass.

“We offered our prayers up for the Kevin and the family,” Butler said.

Gaspers played football and wrestled for St. Cecilia, and his football coach, Carl Tesmer, remembers his perseverance and dedication.

Tesmer said Gaspers was a tough, hard-nosed linebacker who probably didn’t weigh 145 pounds when he started playing. Gaspers lifted weights to become stronger, and he improved.

One of the things Tesmer remembers most about Gaspers is what a gentleman he was.

“America’s just lost one of its finest citizens,” said Tesmer, who corresponded regularly with Gaspers while he was in Iraq.

Gaspers was just back in Hastings a few weeks ago for a visit around Easter, Tesmer said.

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Soldier remembered for humility and love of country

The Associated Press

HASTINGS, Neb. — A Nebraska soldier killed in Iraq last month was remembered May 4 as a humble man who had a great love for his country and the Army.

More than 1,400 family and friends gathered at St. Cecilia Chapman Gymnasium for the funeral of 1st Lt. Kevin Gaspers of Hastings, who died along with eight other members of the 82nd Airborne Division in a suicide bombing near Baghdad on April 23.

The gymnasium was a special place for Gaspers. It’s where he played sports and received his high school diploma.

During his homily May 4, the Rev. James Meysenburg thanked the family. Gaspers was son of John and Pam Gaspers and brother of Katie, 23, and Audrey, 15.

“John, you said last night that you were so proud to have the services at this school. We are so honored,” Meysenburg said, choking back tears. “We are so honored.”

Gaspers, 26, was killed when a truck armed with heavy explosives slammed into an abandoned building, sending it toppling on top of soldiers.

One of the others who died in the attack was Staff Sgt. Ken Locker Jr., who was buried in his hometown of Burwell on May 3.

Gaspers had been in Hastings on leave just three weeks before his death. The visit enabled him to catch up with family members and friends, sharing what turned out to be his final goodbyes with them.

More than 100 members of the Nebraska Patriot Guard stood at attention holding American flags outside St. Cecilia’s Church.

“John said last night that Kevin would be embarrassed by all the people, all the media and all the hoopla,” Meysenburg said.

Meysenburg said Gaspers was even embarrassed when the Rev. Michael Houlihan announced his 26th birthday at church on Easter.

“He was just humble like that,” Meysenburg said.

Gaspers’ burial was at Parkview Cemetery.

He joined the Army while attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he enlisted in the Army ROTC. After graduation, he became a member of the 82nd Airborne, stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C.

“He loved the Army and he loved his country,” Meysenberg said.