Service honors cadet killed last month

  • Published
  • By Amber Baillie
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  The Academy held a memorial service Feb. 5 at the Cadet Chapel for Cadet 4th Class Jack Lindsey, 18, who died in a skiing accident at Keystone Resort Jan. 24.

Friends and family gathered to honor Lindsey's legacy and celebrate his character.

"What I remember most about Jack was his half smile," said Maj. Carl Maymi, air officer commanding for Cadet Squadron 16, Lindsey's assigned squadron. "It was clear he had something behind that smile. What was behind that smile was a future leader full of passion, purpose and excitement. He wanted to be an Air Force officer and a pilot. He was excited to be chasing excellence every day, excited to be here as a cadet and excited to be living his dream."

Lindsey studied engineering here. He was an accomplished guitar player, passionate about football and part of the Academy's Catholic community.

"Jack Lindsey was one of my best friends," said Cadet 4th Class James Kiesewetter. "Six weeks of basic training turned strangers into siblings. He was one of my brothers."

Kiesewetter lived across the hall from Lindsey during Basic Cadet Training.

"A couple of times a week, Jack would come by my room and we would sit around talking about life for few hours and then get back to homework," he said. "Jack and I talked about doing many things together that we never ended up doing, but I feel lucky to have become so close to such an amazing person."

Kieswetter said Lindsey made him a better person simply by being in his presence.

"Jack taught me to give a 120 percent in everything I do, and that life is about the friendships you make with the people you truly care about," he said.

Gail Lindsey, Jack's mother, said her son cared deeply about his family, faith and friends.

"He also had a real focus," she said. "He was very driven. Jack had a very strong desire to get to the Air Force Academy since he was a young boy. He wanted to fly. He worked two jobs to pay for flying lessons to pursue a private pilot's license."

Lindsey's mother said the final word that came to mind when she thought of her son was "finish."

"I say this to cadets who may be struggling or wavering whether it's in their decisions or faith," she said. "I want you to finish and think of Jack in times of trial and struggle. I want you to finish in his honor or use him for inspiration. Be strong. It would be an honor for Jack looking down on us to know we had the resolve to finish what we started."

Lindsey had a lasting impact on everyone he touched, Maymi said.

"I'm honored to have known and served this great nation alongside him," he said. "He's changed the lives of many at this institution, an institution designed to change his life."

Lindsey was from Ruston, La. He is survived by his mother, Gail; his father, Erskine; and his brother, Dan.