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There’s a memorial out in front of the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse dedicated to students, alumni and faculty who have died while serving our nation in the armed forces. One of those fallen bison is Air Force Captain Thomas Gramith, who died a hero while serving in Afghanistan.
This summer marks the third year since his death, and seven years since he graduated from NDSU. Still, a number of his classmates keep the memory of Gramith alive and well -- the memory of a dear friend, a great leader and a true American.
“Tom was such an amazing guy -- full of life and spirit,” said Bekki Hazelrigg, who went through ROTC with Gramith from 2001-04. “We were in the same class and everyone, and I truly mean everyone, loved Tom. I smile now just remembering him.”
Hazelrigg recalls that class being extremely dedicated to the program and willing put in extra hours on Saturday mornings to prepare for field training. Hazelrigg says, being a nursing major, marching was never her strong suit, but Gramith was always willing to help her and others out in that department.
“He was always at the top of his class; whether in school or during ROTC, he was always the person to go to. Tall and gangly, but he knew his stuff. He was an awesome cadet, leader and friend,” she added.
Gramith had always dreamed of joining the Air Force and had been in JROTC program during high school. Once he got to college, he soon faced disqualification to serve because of issues with asthma. He was denied a chance to attend field training but came back the following year anyway to teach and prepare the new cadets for it. Later that year the medical concerns subsided.
Marcus Litch, who is currently a detective in the Palm Springs Police Department in California, says it was because Gramith wanted to serve his country at all costs. “That was the epitome of Tom: A strong, hard-working person who never gave up and showed great perseverance.”
“Tom was an extremely motivated cadet who lived and breathed the Air Force. He was a model cadet both in and out of uniform,” Litch said. He started a two-year stint in ROTC in 2002 and Gramith was one of the first cadets to greet him. He would extend a helping hand and show Litch the ropes whenever he could.
Carmen Sowers, another classmate, remembers a more funny and lighthearted side of Gramith. In particular, she re
calls his uncanny ability to enter a doorway like Kramer from “Seinfeld.”
“Tom was a wonderful person. I was lucky enough to spend with him during our senior year,” Sowers said. Both they and two others crammed themselves and their camping gear into a Honda Accord for a spring break trip to Colorado. While they anticipated snow they found more of it than they bargained for, and ended up spending time at Zion National Park instead.
“We had an awesome time. Tom was always entertaining and great fun,” she said.
One of individuals along for that ride was his future wife, Angie. Hazelrigg recalls that whatever Gramith was doing, she was always at his side. Their class was particularly tight-knit, getting together for drinks when they came of age, and Angie with them.
“She was one of our groupies and just made him who he was. Whenever he spoke of her, you could tell he truly loved her,” Hazelrigg said.
After commissioning, Gramith was assigned to the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N. Car. He was a weapon systems officer and flew in the back seat of an F-15E Strike Eagle. He was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and, after providing air support for ground troops over several hours, died when his plane crashed around 3:15 a.m. on July 17, 2009 in Ghazni Province. Along with Angie, he left behind twin-daughters Eva and Stella.
“Tom was an amazing man, friend and leader. He is always missed,” said Hazelrigg, noting that his death was one of the hardest days of her life.
“Tom overcame many challenges in life and conquered his dreams,” Litch said. “While his death leaves a void in many people’s lives, we can find peace in that he did what he loved and was an example to all that through many challenges dreams can be obtained.”
The flagpole at the center of the Fallen Bison Memorial will be named in his honor, as well as for Army Leuitenant Robert Scmitt, who died while serving in Korea. To learn more about the memorial or to donate, visit http://www.fallenbisonmemorial.org.
