A West Point cadet would have turned 19 on Monday. Instead, he is being buried at the military academy and being remembered for his final act of valor.
Thomas Surdyke died after being on life support for four days after he tried to save a swimmer struggling on a Long Island beach in late June, reports The New York Daily News.
The swimmer was being swept out by a rip current, and Surdyke, in his save attempt, swallowed seawater and nearly drowned. Attempts to revive Surdyke were made, but he sustained brain injury from a lack of oxygen.
Monday, Surdyke will be buried at West Point, according to a prepared statement by the United States Marine Academy West Point.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Surdyke family during this difficult time,” said Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Diana Holland.
“Cadet Surdyke epitomized the values of duty, honor, country in all that he did,” said Lt. Robert L. Caslen Jr., academy superintendent. “His classmakes remember him most for his uplifiting personality and quick sense of humor.”
Funds continue to pour into a scholarship fund created to continue the cadet’s legacy of sacrifice. In the past four days alone, over $35,000 has been raised for his scholarship fund.
“Cadet Tom Surdyke, United States Military Academy Class of 2019, paid the ultimate sacrifice after saving the life of another American. Following his West Point training, Cadet Surdyke demonstrated the highest level of Duty, Honor, Country by putting the life of another ahead of himself,” said the Cadet Tom Surdyke Memorial Fund page on gofundme.com.
“The monies donated will ensure his legacy continues for generations to come as the fund will be used to establish a ‘leaders of character’ scholarship fund,” the fund page said.
Hundreds attended a vigil for Surdyke, a native of Festus, Mo., over the weekend in his hometown, according to Fox2Now.
“Tommy was kind of one of those all American kids. He was as good as all the stories that everyone is telling about him. Tommy is one that was extremely dedicated. He had a great sense of loyalty and dedication, whether that was to his football team, to his school, to his family, and especially to his friends,” said Father Edward Nemeth.