May 5, 2003

Contact: Col. Mike Lee, Air Force ROTC, (785) 864-4676.

KU Air Force ROTC to honor fallen alumnus during awards ceremony May 6

LAWRENCE -- KU Air Force ROTC Detachment 280 will honor KU alumnus and former cadet Lt. Nathanial Buckley, who was killed in an aircraft accident in 2002, during its recognition ceremony at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 6.

An award named in Buckley's honor will be presented at the ceremony, along with a $500 check from the Fry Chapter (Topeka-Wichita) of the Air Force Association. Buckley, of Minneola, graduated with honors from the KU detachment, Detachment 280, in May 2000 with a bachelor's degree in journalism with an emphasis in business communications. Buckley's parents, David and Debra Buckley, and his brothers, Seth and Caleb, will receive original artwork created and donated by KU graduate Alvin Howell. The artwork symbolizes Buckley's small-town Kansas upbringing and his service to his country through Air Force Special Operations.

The presentation will be part of Detachment 280's Awards Ceremony, to be held in the Big 12 Room of the Kansas Union. Space is limited to participants. Media wishing to attend may contact Capt. Robb Johnson at (785) 864-1216 or robbjohnson@ku.edu.

The KU AFROTC detachment has approximately 75 cadets, who normally participate in a four-year academic and physical training program in addition to normal degree requirements. They also take part in various military training events year round and volunteer with many community service projects, color guards and other ceremonies and service as requested by local agencies.