Del City High School is honoring a former student and American hero
The Robert Kalsu Legacy Group recently kicked off its campaign to build a statue to preserve and remember the legacy of Robert Kalsu who was killed in action 52 years ago in Vietnam. The group held a kickoff event last Thursday at the Del City High School Performing Arts Center.
The bronze statue will be placed inside the gates of the school’s stadium that also bears his name. The statue will include engraved statements of Kalsu’s history and accomplishments during his brief and heroic life.
The group wants the Kalsustory to be told to the future generations of Del City students to inspire and motivate them on the field, in the classroom, and in life.
Kalsu was the only professional football player to die in the Vietnam War. A stand-out student and football player at Del City High School, he graduated in 1963 and immediately began an illustrious football career at the University of Oklahoma from 1963-1967. The Buffalo Bills drafted him and he played one season before being called to military service.
During the 1960s, the country was in turmoil over the Vietnam War, and Kalsu could have sought another type of service than active duty. Instead, he declared that he was no better than anyone else and joined the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. On July 21, 1970, he was killed by North Vietnamese mortar fire.
The memorial statue is expected to cost about $125,000.
If you would like to donate to the project, you can write checks to Force 50 Foundation, Inc. at P.O. Box 722838, Norman, OK 73070. Checks must have “Robert Kalsu Legacy Project” on the memo line.
Force 50 Foundation, Inc., a non-profit charitable organization, is partnering with the group to raise funds.
Donations may also be sent to Capt. John Keilty or Gina Standridge, Del City High School, 1900 S. Sunnylane, Del City, OK 73115 but must be written to Force 50 Foundation and stipulate the Robert Kalsu Legacy Project.
For more information, contact Gina Standridge at grhs0201@gmail.com or John Keilty at jkeilty@mid-del.net.
Steve Gilliland, Del City High School principal, speaks last Thursday during an event kicking off fundraising efforts for a statue honoring Robert Kalsu.
Del City High School senior Jaedon Foreman unveils designs for a Robert Kalsu statue at Del City High School.
Mid-Del Schools superintendent Rick Cobb speaks about efforts to add a statue of Robert Kalsu at Del City High School.
State Rep. Andy Fugate speaks about the Robert Kalsu Legacy Group’s efforts to add a statue of Robert Kalsu at Del City High School.
