Photos by Steve Porter
A Fallen Alum Remembered Praise, tribute, and non sibi were the order of the day on a crisp, clear April evening when the Andover community gathered to honor the memory of Lt. Cmdr. Erik Kristensen, USN, SEAL, PA ’91. Kristensen was killed in 2005 while leading an operation to rescue four fellow SEALs as part of Operation Red Wings in the Hindu Kush mountain range of Afghanistan. The evening began with a service at Memorial Place near Borden Gym. Among the many in attendance were Erik’s parents, Adm. Edward and Mrs. Suzanne Kristensen. “When I come up from D.C., I normally bring snow, but today I bring sunshine,” said Cmdr. Robert Patrick ’88 as he opened the service. “Erik demonstrated the profound impact one person can have on so many.” Erik rowed crew while at Andover, and members of boys’ and girls’ crew were out in force to pay their respects. “We’re just
so humbled right now. There’s a lot to live up to, following in his footsteps,” remarked Auguste White ’17. “Friends have come from Tokyo, Virginia, Seattle, all over the globe to be here tonight,” said trustee Tom Beaton ’73 to the military brass, students, alumni, and distinguished guests who packed 10 long tables in Paresky’s upper left dining hall following the service. “For me, Erik’s legacy is in the students that join us here tonight and in those who will come here for generations to come.” Students presented special Andover Veteran pins and commemorative T-shirts, proceeds of which go to the Erik Kristensen Scholarship for Summer Session. Beaton also had a surprise for the Kristensens—renowned portraiture artist and sculptor Chas Fagan ’84 will sculpt a bust of their son as a tribute to his sacrifice.
“Gangly, goofy, way too tall to be in high school. It was impossible not to be happy around Erik,” read Mrs. Suzanne Kristensen from a letter written by Melinda Page ’91. Adm. Edward Kristensen then read a letter by Navy SEAL Ben Smith: “This school produces history. This is not a requiem or memorial to Erik, but proof that he still lives on in our hearts.” A bagpiper led the assembled guests to Cochran Chapel. Prior to a screening of Lone Survivor, which is based on Operation Red Wings, Head of School John Palfrey presented letters from Presidents George H.W. Bush ’42 and George W. Bush ’64. Erik’s parents also spoke.
questions from the audience. “I was crying uncontrollably throughout the service, and I know I was not alone,” said Jamie Chen ’15, editor of The Phillipian. “He is a role model and hero to all of us in the Andover community.”
Following the film, five SEALs took the stage and answered
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