Alumnus killed fighting in Iraq war

By: Jim Armstrongs

For many in the Syracuse and Rochester areas, the War on Terror hit close to home this week. First Lieutenant James Lyons, a 2003 graduate of Syracuse University, died in Baghdad last Wednesday, Sept. 27.

Friends, teachers and Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity brothers spoke glowingly of James and the legacy that he has left behind.

Matt McCreary, a 2004 graduate of SU, said he remembers Lyons and his incredible way with people.

"He was one of the most fun people to be around," McCreary said. "Whenever he entered the room he made it more entertaining."

He treated people the way that he wanted to be treated; he was a very good and loyal friend, McCreary said.

Michael Martinez, a classmate of Lyons at SU and a member of Task Force 344 Medical in the Army, vividly remembers the last time he saw Lyons: "The last memory I have of him was when I saw him running out of Lyman, and he excitedly told me that he had joined the army and was a tank commander.

"He was really excited and he knew that I was in the army as well," Martinez said. "He definitely did what he wanted to do."

James's professors spoke of his passion for learning and his dedication to his studies.

Samuel Chan, Lyons' biochemistry professor, said he was not a top-ranked student in his classes; however, he made up for it with his determination.

"He never gave up, he was persistent and he always came into my office to ask questions about the subject material," Chan said.

John Belote, a biology professor at SU, got to know James on a personal level as well.

"He was a very nice, respectful and personable young man," Belote said.

He was very interested in the learning material and he went out of his way to understand it, Belote said.

Scott Erdman, an associate professor of biology, recalled Lyons' work ethic and how he was one of those students that he would never forget.

"James is one of those people that you meet outside of class and you remember," Erdman said. "He is a very memorable person." 

During his time at SU, James was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

Ken Howell, the chapter advisor at Delta Kappa Epsilon, spoke of Lyons' involvement in the house.

"He was very active in the philanthropies of the house, which is very rare for a student who does not live in the house," Howell said.

Lyons was well liked and was a big part of the house, Howell said.

Jonathan Green, the current president of Delta Kappa Epsilon, said Lyons would leave behind him a legacy.

"He was a great American who was a valiant officer that fought for a country he loved," Green said. "It's going to be a big weekend of remembrance for James."

Kevin Morrow, director of SU news services, said Chancellor Nancy Cantor has ordered that the University's flags be ordered to half staff during Homecoming weekend.

The full military funeral will take place on Saturday in Lyons' hometown of Brighton, New York, Morrow said.

"A member of Rochester's Alumni board is going to attend the mass this weekend and he is going to represent SU, as well as the SU Alumni Association and the Rochester Alumni Club," Morrow said.

Lyons was a fire explorer for the Brighton Fire Department before he headed to Vermont Academy and then to SU, where he graduated with a degree in biochemistry in 2003, said Brighton Fire Department Chief Vin Nolan.

Lyons is survived by his parents, Marcia and Robert Lyons and by his fiancée, Hilary Trent, Nolan said.

"Thousands of people are going to be thinking about James this weekend, whether they are from school, the fraternity, the Army or his hometown," said McCreary.



Contributions in James's memory may be made to Brighton Fire Department:

"U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant James N. Lyons Memorial Scholarship Fund"

P.O. Box 18381, Rochester, NY 14618

Or to the Vermont Academy, 20 Pleasant St., Saxtons River, VT 05154