Showing more class than Obama. Update to this previous story.
Via KPHO:
Athletes and parents at the state high school track meet in Mesa paused to pay their respects to a former track stand-out who was killed while serving in Iraq.
There was a moment of silence Wednesday in honor of Charlie Keating IV, a Navy SEAL who died during an ISIS attack on Kurdish forces. Keating was assisting the Kurdish troops as a military adviser.
The 31-year-old sailor graduated from Arcadia High School in Phoenix in 2004. He competed in the Arizona Interscholastic Association championships as a long-distance runner all four years, said Arcadia track coach Rob Reniewicki.
“He’s an American hero in the truest sense,” he said.
Reniewicki, who coached Keating and his younger brother, led the moment of silence at Mesa Community College and said a few words about his star athlete.
“I said I wanted him to be remembered for his service to our country, for his big smile, just know he’s going to be missed,” Reniewicki said.
Reniewicki also spoke about the moment Keating made up his mind to join the military — after track practice the morning of the attacks on Sept. 11. Behind him, an American flag towered over the track at half-staff as a tribute to the fallen sailor.