Xavier Alum Killed in Iraq - Mike Runyan

[XU05and07]

On the Xavier ROTC website:

Cadets and Alum,

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that one of our own lost his life in Iraq yesterday.

1LT Mike Runyan, Class of 2008, was a tremendous Cadet and a terrific Officer whose legacy of excellence and service will live long on into All For One history. His selfless sacrifice must not be forgotten or overlooked.

Our chosen profession is truly a calling that one day might ask anyone of us to sacrifice our lives in the name of freedom. 1LT Runyan died in service of this great nation doing what he was trained to do… lead Soldiers from the front in accomplishing the mission.

We will honor 1LT Runyan by our actions and efforts. We carry on as an Army when we lose one of our own by living up to the standards they set and giving our best effort in every task we undertake. We honor by action.

What you are all training to do or are doing already is serious business that can never be taken for granted.

We will post follow on information about his memorial service and such on the XU ROTC website. If you can make it to the ceremony whenever it is I know his family will be honored by all of our presence. I am sure I have missed one or two of our Cadets or Alums so please make sure all of our family knows.

If you need someone to talk to the XU Wellness Center is aware and has grief counselors available their number is 513-745-3022. You can also call Military One Source at 1-800-342-9647 or militaryonesource.com. Or any one of the Cadre members will be available as well.

Keep in your prayers and thoughts his family and all of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines in harm’s way.


"All For One"

[muckem muckem]

1lt Mike Runyon is in my prayers. God Bless you.

[Cheesehead]

Very sad and a reminder of the reality of war. I have the upmost respect for our service men and women. I try not to take for granted my freedom and way of life that they provide all of us. God bless Mike and his family. Thoughts and prayers with everyone who knew him.

[xu2006]

Thank God for brave men and women like 1LT Mike Runyan. May he rest in peace.

[PM Thor]

Prayers for him and his family.

[BBC 08]

I don't think I knew him during my time at X but it sure as hell hits home when it's someone you graduate with.

[Snipe]

God Bless him and his family.

[Muskie73]

Condolences and prayers for Lt Runyan and his family.

[Muskie]

Thoughts and Prayers.

[muskiefan82]

My thoughts and prayers to the family of 1LT Runyan- both his blood and those who served with him who are absorbing the loss and grieving in their own way.

You will be missed, but never forgotten.

[xudash]

Thoughts and prayers for him and his family.

[wkrq59]

God Bless him and his family.

Add my prayers to the many offered here. Requiescant en pace.

[DC Muskie]

Prayers to his family.

All for One.

[Masterofreality]

Prayers for the repose of his soul.

Thanks for his service.

Thoughts, prayers and sympathy for his family.

[Pablo's Brother]

Prayers to the family.

[Kahns Krazy]

I don't think there is a more painful loss. I feel for the family, his fellow servicemen, and for his friends, many of whom may be experiencing a death of someone their age for the first time. What a difficult time.

[surfxu]

Prayers are with him and his family. God bless. Link (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20100723/NEWS01/7240346/Xavier-grad-killed-in-Iraq)

[X-band '01]

Someone asked in another thread if the Xavier ROTC is still active - definitely they have the Army ROTC on campus. And they will be active as long as they serve domestically and abroad. May God watch over the soul if 1LT Runyan as well as his family, comrades past and present, and all others that made the ultimate sacrifice to make this country what it is today.

[nickgyp]

God bless him and his family. Surely, God looks favorably upon those who pay the ultimate sacrifice as His own Son did for us. Prayers said.

[GuyFawkes38]

very, very sad. Prayers go out to his friends and family.

[American X]

My prayers go out to Lt. Mike Runyan and his family. I thank God every day for men and women like him.

[XULucho27]

I had the great privilege of sharing some classes with this young man while we were both at X. While I didn't know him personally, I will always hold him in the highest regard and remember him as a hero. Rest in peace.

[Titanxman04]

I heard the name and I'm glad to say that I knew him well enough to remember his face, a bit about his character, and to know that I've been lucky enough to shake his hand a number of times. Aside from running into each other at parties randomly, we weren't in the same circles. Mike and I started at X together, and if I remember correctly, lived in Brockman as well, and through our random encounters, I could say that he was a guy who loved life, loved what he was doing, and more importantly seemed to believe in it. ROTC was something he had a passion for, and I do remember one time telling him he's nuts for waking up so early to do that stuff, and he laughed and said he loved it.

I didn't know him well enough as I would have liked, and I am saddened to hear of someone who I've known be killed in the line of duty. My prayers go out to him, his family, and all his friends who were closer to him than I was.

I, as well as everyone else here, wish that this war ends sooner than later, and that the deaths of our fellow classmates and friends end now. We'll miss you Mike.