Services were held this past week-end in Westernport MD. There will be a second service held here in Ohio(date to be determined). I have included a photo and comments made by his friend CMS Brian Narducci.
Hello, I’m Brian Narducci, one of Kyle’s friends. I’d like to start by saying a prayer…
Eternal and ever-loving God, we thank You for the privilege of meeting on this hallowed day to honor Kyle. We pray that Your mercy and justice have made right his human failings and faults, and we are forever thankful for his companionship and association in this life.
As we recall with gratitude and respect all that he stood for, we present to You mighty God, that we are all impacted by his passing. In the depth of our silent grief, we realize the truth of the inspired words: “even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death…You are with us. And we need you now more than ever.
May everything that is said and done in this ceremony honor You and emphasize the fantastic life of Kyle, as well as promote what Kyle stood for in life, which was the good-will to all humanity.
Faithful GOD: We thank you for the life Kyle, the love he received from You, and the love with which he has loved us. Comfort us in our grief, and grant us assurance of your promise of eternal life. Give unto us Your help in all our duties; in all perplexities, Your counsel; And in all danger, Your protection.
The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make His face to shine upon us and be gracious unto us. The Lord lift us up and give us peace, this day and forevermore. We pray this in Your holy name, Amen.
Today we come together to remember the life and legacy of Kyle Mckee. For those of us who knew him well, we remember him as a cheerful loving husband, father, and fearless warrior; Kyle was a giving person; We knew him as a great husband and father. He was an exceptional friend with a heart of gold! He also was a man that knew his job exceptionally well and did it with the highest pride and purpose. He was a true, quiet professional. More than this, Kyle and I connected on a personal level many times with shared memories of his family and past experiences, some funny, some sad. But Kyle always remembered each story with a great purpose, either jokingly smiling or compassionate and respectful of moments past. One thing I know for certain is that Kyle loved his family, loved his friends, and loved his country… And I know he knew, we all loved him.
Today, as we pause to embrace his presence in our lives and guard them close to our hearts, let us not forget who he was and what he stood for. Let us remember that while death is inevitable, life is more powerful. Our reaction to death is often conditioned by the way in which death comes into our lives. The arrival of death is not nearly so welcomed when it comes into our midst suddenly and with startling alarm. In our grief, we are left stunned in disbelief… Angry… Wondering… Accepting… Denying… Our hearts cry, “Why?” Our emotions yell, “What if?” And our inner souls scream, “I wish I could…”
But how then shall we live? How shall we face an uncertain future? The writer of the Psalms says: “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Our days are short, and our time is unknown. We can take many lessons from Kyle in how he lived – How he took his responsibilities as sacred and the intensity he loved… lived selflessly, and lived for each day remembering the good and the bad moments.
So as we wait, expecting to pass through this world, we must live in Kyle’s remembrance and therefore any good that we can do, or any kindness that we can show to anyone else, let us do it now as Kyle did; let us not defer. Let us not neglect it. Let us not delay it. It is my belief that Kyle is now watching over us all, and this is what he would want.
Author Bonnie Mohr may say it best in her poem:
Today is a gift. Embrace it with joy and anticipation; realize the possibilities. It beckons you towards your destination in life. Make the most of today. Focus on ‘the present’- you will see and appreciate things you might otherwise miss. Follow your heart – search to find your purpose in life, and you will find meaning and happiness. Use your talents, do your best, contribute. Make a difference because you can. Be passionate about your journey – sing, dance, laugh, and love as you go. The promise of tomorrow begins with the endeavors of today. Do not let the fast-forward pace of the world deprive you from savoring ‘the now’. Seek things that fill you with love and bring others joy. Have faith, it fosters hope – it makes the difference. Live well – live today, for it is a gift.
Kyle, on behalf of your family and friends, your brothers in arms want to thank you for allowing us to love you, share stories with you, live this life with you, share meals with you, and have a bond with you in this life. We look forward to seeing you again in heaven. Please help us live as you did and keep the light on for us when it is our time. Until then, we will always honor and remember you.
