Push to dedicate field to fallen soldier grows, but policy says no
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BEAVERTON, Ore. – He gave his life for his country after a standout football career in Beaverton but why won't his high school dedicate its football field in his honor?
Six weeks ago Andrew Keller's family got the horrible news he'd been killed in Afghanistan. In that short time span support for renaming the field at Southridge High School has come from thousands of people.
But the school district has a policy that prohibits changing the name of the football field to honor people. But a growing number of people say it's been done in other school districts and they ask, why not in this one, too?
On his way to graduating in 2008 from Southridge, Keller became captain of his football team and most valuable player. Then he dedicated his life to the Army where 32 days into his duty in Afghanistan he was killed.
At Friday's game his high school honored his family and retired Keller's No. 13.
But more than 5,000 people on Facebook want a more permanent honor. They and his parents want "Andrew Keller Memorial Field."
"I want to see, 10 to 15 years from now, I want to see Andrew's generation grown up with their own children, and I want them to walk out onto that football field – I want that little 10-year-old boy or girl to look up there and say, 'Dad, who is Andrew Keller?' And I want them to say, 'Let me tell you about him,' said Keller's father Jeff.
The Beaverton School District has a policy that prohibits naming any facility, like a football field or auditorium, after a person.
The district is concerned how changing the policy would create tough dilemmas in how to handle situations where students have died from an accident or illness.
"Our board will have to weigh this very carefully," said Beaverton School District spokeswoman Maureen Wheeler. "We're aware there is strong support for this. We have been following social media and what have you, and it's a great tribute to Andrew Keller and what he sacrificed for our country. And his memory here at the school is important to the community. So we’ll see what happens with the school board."
The school board has assigned a committee to look at whether the naming policy should be changed. That process could take three or four months. Keller's father said if the process gets ugly, the family will back out because a fight is not what they want.
I'd like all the supporters to raise the money for the renaming and the plaques to explain the name, as well as the costs for the dedication. Then go into a board of education meeting with the cash in hand and inform them that you would be more then happy to put it to a vote of the city (an easy win given the cash is in hand).
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My great uncle's High school field in PA is named for him (medal of honor winner buried at Arlington), and we got that done once the cash was in hand,
"He gave his life for his country" NOPE sorry, he gave his life for the 1%'s corporate war of greed and empire. So sad.
Congratulations on the Doofus of the Decade award! You really deserve it!
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Afghanistan was the national sponsor and protector of Osama and Co. when they attacked the US on 9/11. We invaded the country when they refused to extradite the perpetrators. Entirely justified (and then criminally mismanaged by Rumsfeld). You could make your pathetic argument about the Iraq invasion, but I guess you don't know the difference between all those middle east countries.
There are actually a lot of fallen soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines, coast guard etc.
There are already memorials being put up for a lot of them. He served his country. There is a place in Salem near the capitol building I think, the mother of Erick "Kestergeek" Kesterson started it. He was an honored marine who saved a lot of his compadres in a helicopter crash. Then after 9-11-2001, he went into the Army to become a heliocpter pilot, he was killed in Iraq.
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If it is a cost issue, fine, let those who support this conduct fund-raisers and make this happen. Coming together after a tragedy involving one of America's finest is healing for the community and shows how we honor our heroes. Don't use this as a policy/political issue. Do the right thing. Sometimes doing the right thing is harder than towing the policy line, taking the easy out. But doing the right thing is gratifying in more ways than one.
My son served with Andrew in Afghanistan. Andrew was well respected and was very popular. His loss was felt by all in his unit. My deepest sympathy and prayers to his family and friends. I hope the board makes the right decision and names the field after Andrew. It is unfortunate when any young man or woman dies at an early age. There is a difference when a soldier falls in battle while defending his country and his brothers and sisters in the service.
This kid died in a horrible death. The community has spoken; let them express their grief and honor their fallen classmate.
Good grief.
I bet the school district would rename the it 'Intel Field' or whatever if there was a few bucks in it for them.
Name the field after this hero and quit looking like a bunch of unpatriotic fools.
On shing dao - you couldn't be more wrong about their family. It would just be an honor to them and to help us all recognize good people and remember our beloved soldiers for all they do for us too. Even if I didn't know the Keller's, I would support them 100%. This world needs more "Andrew Kellers" and goodness. If it were you or your family member I would do the same for you. No one is exploiting anyone here. It's with love, respect and honor this matter is being put on the table. Only 1% of Americans serve currently in our armed forces. Andrew was in that 1% and was a good student at Southridge. I am being kind on here and I know some people are either mean spirited, just don't care about others who are good, just like to argue or something else but I pray the school board realizes the positives about all this outweighs the negative people who just don't care. Does Andrew's family really want this to happen?.....Yes. will they get mean and nasty about it if the board doesn't approve this?.....No. Thousands would be disappointed but no one can or ever will take our memories, stories and love for Andrew away. Field or no field we will always tell everyone about Andrew. Andrew really shined at Southridge. Take care on shing dao.
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 @on shing dao I know some of the family of this fallen young man. They are not interested in exploiting his death. They gain nothing from this; they've lost more than you could imagine. You are a troll of the worst kind. I hope something terrible happens to you or someone you know. When it does, I will feel no guilt from my Schadenfreude.
Here is the problem with policy, policy is always brought up when 1 there is no funds in a gift to the districts, 2 when the school sees no gain in moving in the suggested direction. In this case with a name change of a field the school district will happily name the field, school building, parking lot, cafeteria after one of its own teachers or principles who has giving their careers to building stronger education or passes with a large gift of monies to the district. however in this case with the student giving his life for this beloved country will get no where in this liberal state which is very sad to say. Yes people lose their lives in war each day and over the years the level of people paying respects to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom has diminished greatly. It is one thing to have a stance against Americas involvement with foreign countries and it is another to turn away from those who have fallen defending it, apparently the liberals who go around singing that john Lennon nonsense really do not have a clue, I digress. Should the school do something? yes, be it put up a jersey and give it significance and honor or change the fields name either way something should be done to honor the life of a fallen soldier and classmate who touched the lives of other teammates and classmatees.
 @freedom123 Well said, fr123.Â
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First, you make rules. Then you consider exceptions to rules. Hiding behind 'sorry, it's policy' makes the district seem horribly obtuse. Especially considering the circumstances.
part 2) Why are some people and schools afraid to get involved with military issues too? Our military pays the price for our freedom. And it is not just our community who backs the Keller family for Andrew. You should have been at the memorial service and seen first hand the outpour of people who didn't even know Andrew. And the procession. AMAZING! We are all waiting anxiously to see what happens in the end of this. I know it is not our decision to make but I wouldn't want to be the school board who decides against it because this could be an opportunity to always keep the Southridge community united and for people to always talk about how we should all always try to set good examples and do good to others like Andrew did. If this fails, people will forever be upset at the school board and feel they don't care. This is the perfect time in life to bring happiness and bonding to people. No matter what happens though, we will always love and respect the Keller family. And Andrew will NEVER be forgotten by many of us.God bless our country, our troops and may God always be with the Keller family and Marissa Jones. P.S. please don't fight and argue over this people. This is supposed to be something special and meaningful for Andrew.
part 1) I don't see the need in nastiness on here from some people about renaming the field. If you would just take a moment to think about the patriotism on top of what an outstanding young man Andrew Keller was, maybe you wouldn't seem so bitter. And would renaming the field hurt you in any way?.....NO! It's a field, not the school we are trying to get renamed. The Keller family is such an amazing family and there is nothing wrong with them and thousands of us in the community wanting to make and keep a reminder for everyone always to remember Andrew as an example of great school student behavior, how to be a great team player and leader and for his ultimate sacrifice of his life so we can all be free, attend school, play sports and make exemplary decisions in our own lives. God forbid any other Southridge students ever die but if that did happen, maybe the school could make a plaque to honor them as well could be made. It's rare to be able to find someone like Andrew who lived for all the right reasons and ways and ended up a hero too.
As some one who went to school and graduated with Andrew, what he did in that school and on the field he deserves this, Beaverton School District in a joke for making this such a huge issue. My suggestion to my friends back home and the Keller family is not to give up the fight but you reach out for backing from local business or large companies i.e. Nike, who sponsors many of Southridge's sports teams already. Andrew Keller Memorial Field is the tip of the iceberg in what should be a forever lasting tribute to a fallen friend, classmate, and hero.
Because he is white, so he will not be able to get anything name after him unless of coruse his family comes up with millions of dollars to donate to the school, like Phil Knight does.
We can name streets after civil rights "leaders" and other places for Hispanic folks, like Cesar Chavez, yet we can't name a simple field after someone who has ties to that area and gave his life for this country? What a shame!
 @jpk Aw here it goes, the white victim card. Cesar Chavez was America but you only see his skin color. Sad really.
 @on shing dao  @jpkÂ
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Actually it is the fact we worked pretty much solely within and for the Latino community that people get confused.
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 @jpk American*
 @jpk That's because where that happened there was not a policy disallowing it. In this case there is and the district would have to change that policy first before they could do anything.
Policies seem to be changed quite rapidly, almost like underwear on a daily basis. Some folks just don't like it when a true American hero dies in defense of our liberties!
Comments here seem right on for how I'm thinking, too. I'd rather have it named after a person or group of people than for a business, though. So if the school district agrees to that, well, I'd be more than a little miffed.Â
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I guess I'd go for a wall somewhere dedicated to students who've passed away. But under what guidelines do you get your name on the wall? If you died as a student? Who determines "hero" status? And, for academics, not sports stand outs who also may give their life in the line of honorable duty, we don't have jerseys or a place to "play". So, what then? A picture, I suppose. And if the school gets torn down or the memorial area too large?
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Oh, bother. Put a crypt out there for the kids to play on (hey, I played in a grave yard as a kid -- best place to learn to ride a bike!). In the meantime, I think the school district should remain firm on their policy until and unless these questions can all be addressed. Equally, if a family or estate has a large sum of money they can contribute (or if a community group contributes), should that be treated the same as simply requesting the dedication? I don't think the money should factor in.
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Wait, I've got it! A scholarship of some type. Maybe for a training camp for someone who wants to further their athletics or college or whatever the person(s) wanting to establish the scholarship for (academics, sciences, the arts, theater, and on and on). The scholarship would identify who the scholarship was named for, why it was created, and what the money would be used for.
 @CTWU
 I don't see the need in nastiness on here from you about renaming the field. If you or others like you would just take a moment to think about the patriotism on top of what an outstanding young man Andrew was, maybe you wouldn't sound so bitter. It's a field, not the school we are trying to rename. The Keller family is such an amazing one and there is nothing wrong with them and thousands of us others wanting to make and keep a reminder for everyone always to remember Andrew as an example of great school student behavior, be a great team leader and for giving the ultimate sacrifice of his life so we can all be free to attend school, play sports and make exemplary decisons in our lives. God forbid other Southridge students ever die but if that does happen in life, maybe a plaque on the school wall to honor them as well could be made. In the meantime the field could be an honorable start. This is not meant to be a negative thing. Why are some people and schools afraid to get involved in military issues? Our military keeps us free. God bless our country, our troops and may God always be with the Keller family and Marissa.
 @BeReal And what, if anything, is wrong with establishing a scholarship rewarding other people for acting in a manner that would most honor Andrew? A field is a piece of grass... A scholarship could go much farther than a piece of sod.
 @CTWU
 Nothing is wrong with that but that is not what is proposed here.  What would be so wrong with naming a field after and in honor of Andrew Keller and why do you and a few others seem so against this? I understand all the positive and good that could come from it but unless you or someone else can explain why it would be such a bad thing to do or why it would be wrong, then there would be no real point for the school board to decline renaming the field. No disrespect towards you on here and you have some good points but every situation is different and different ways to honor heroes happen all the time. This happens to be what thousands of us would be proud to have for Andrew.
 @BeReal Excuse me? Nasty? Far from it, in fact. If anything I said was construed as nasty I suppose I apologize but that was NEVER my intention.
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I was pointing out that other people have done equally patriotic things in the past and/or will do so in the future. Naming one and only one field after one and only one person is not necessarily the most appropriate. A row of benches or bleacher section, maybe, so that others who die tragically or honorably will also have the opportunity to be honored. Unless you have other ideas for THOSE people?
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My issue isn't at all about military. I had several classmates die while I was in high school who should probably have been honored somehow because they were good people just in the wrong place at the wrong time through no fault of their own. I know families who have lost police and firemen in the line of duty, too.
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Look no further than all of those who died in the 9/11 attacks to determine who deserves hero status and why. I'm just pointing out that there are countless people who have died or will die that deserve or qualify for recognition.Â
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Why are you being heartless to NOT allow them the opportunity to be honored? Are they not good enough or is it because you don't know their stories?
 @CTWU
 words are hard to interpret sometimes on here. I am not aware of another fallen soldier from Southridge. I am aware of tragic deaths of many heroes before Andrew and know about 9/11. Different people from all over honor heroes in many different ways big or small. It's all about who it is, where it is and what it is. No hero is less important than another but the majority of the spoken community here and now wants the school that Andrew attended to have the football field named after him. Thousands of people chose to support this decision so why are a select few so against it and keep insisting it should be something else?  If there ever are others in  the future then the community can decide what to do to recognize and honor that person then. Some people on here are acting like it would be shameful or disgraceful to name the field after Andrew Keller. What do those people have to lose or be scared of if it is named after him? Time for people to stop making drama over renaming the field and just accept it it for all the right and positive reasons.Â
I agree with both Ralph and Felines... Â It just isn't rational to make or revise a policy like this in an emotionally-charged situation, such as this is... Â
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Also, we are ~ tragically ~ losing many young military personnel in these wars... Each of them is very special, and deserving of being honored in some lasting way... Â But renaming things like buildings, streets, or even football fields may not be the best way to accomplish this...and,l as hankhandsome just posted, it could get rather confusing after a number of years... Â
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Not sure what the answer is, but maybe this could be something that the school personnel, teachers, parents and the students could submit ideas for... Â Maybe a "memorial wall"... not like the Viet Nam Memorial in DC, but an actual inside wall of a building, where plaques with 8x10" photos of those that they wanted to honor could be placed...? Â Â
I think some kind of memorial like a plaque or maybe a portrait or have his football jersey enclosed in glass?That way years down the road he will be more likely be remembered as opposed to changing the name of the football field.
 @noneofyourbizzness ~  His football jersey...  That's a GREAT idea... with a photo and a plaque to ID the display, it would be wonderful..!  Â
So many people die in wars, and 20 years later no one can remember why the field was named after so-and-so. Don't let emotion stampede you into doing something silly.
jpk, why not not name it after anyone?
@hankhandsome This is not silly. This poor unfortunate gave his life for this country and his community! What else do you want? Name it after something that is a corporate entity? What a shame!
 @jpk  @hankhandsome The U.S. military is a corporate entity.
At least they are considering the possibility of changing the rule. That is reasonable.
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I can understand the policy. Sometimes the policy is written for a good reason and should stay that way. Policies need to be well thought out with logic and reason. More importantly the reason for the policy needs to be spelled out so that future generations will know why that policy was put into place.
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Policies should never be driven by emotions since that makes for bad policies.
 @RalphCramden Well said.
Surely there are other ways to honor their son. In their grief, perhaps they cannot see that they are not alone in losing a son at too young an age -- and they are not alone in believing that their son is incredibly special. I just don't think it's fair to expect everyone to want this as much as they do. The supporters need to coalesce to figure out what should be done in Andrew Keller's memory. There is only one football field, and to name it after only one alumni, in a highly-charged emotional moment, seems unwise.Â
Correction:Â alumnus.