25th Anniversary – Remembering Norman Flecker

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the passing of Brother Norman T.S. Flecker ’96. Please join us in honoring First Lieutenant Flecker with a moment of silence, by supporting a veterans cause, or another form of tribute. We encourage you to read this recent article featuring interviews with Norman’s parents, Penny and Manny, and his twin brother, Alex—a fellow Duck from 180 Rugby Road.

 

 

Born on March 27, 1974, Norman grew up in Columbia, Maryland, where he attended Atholton High School and lettered in lacrosse and cross country. At the University of Virginia, Norman and Alex received Army ROTC scholarships with the Cavalier Battalion and joined Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Norman commissioned with the US Army on May 18, 1996. Both he and Alex went on to become helicopter pilots, completing training at Fort Rucker (now Fort Novosel) in Alabama. Alex flew CH-47 Chinooks, and Norman flew UH-60 Black Hawks.

Norman served in the Second Infantry Division in South Korea, where he flew with the Second Aviation Regiment out of Camp Stanley. On June 30, 1998, Norman and his crew died when their helicopter crashed in the mountains near Kapyong—the site of a significant Korean War battle. Alex was also stationed in South Korea at Camp Humphreys—Norman’s destination the day of the crash—and escorted his brother’s body on the flight home.

Norman was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. He was 24 years old. Each year, the Cavalier Battalion presents the 1LT Norman T.S. Flecker Memorial Award to a third or fourth year ROTC cadet “who has provided leadership and inspiration to others through his or her unmatched selflessness, work ethic and integrity.” This May, Alex presented the award to 2LT Tyler Litchfield of Falmouth, Massachusetts.

One of our fraternity’s founding principles is the development of character. Norman embodied this principle. As he remarked on the day of his commissioning, “You don’t have to be perfect, but you do have to be a person of integrity.” May we honor Norman’s legacy by living as men of integrity and service to our fellow brothers, our families, our communities, and our country.