First Lt. Seth Dvorin, who graduated from South Brunswick High School in 1998, died near Iskandariyah, Iraq, after a roadside bomb exploded while he was conducting a counter explosive mission. Seth was an officer in the 10th Mountain Division, Battery B, 3rd. Battalion, 62nd. Air Defense Artillery Regiment of the United States Army. For his bravery in the line of duty, Dvorin was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He was posthumously promoted from Second to First Lieutenant. Eye-witnesses to the explosion described Lieutenant Dvorin as a true hero who warned others to get back from the bomb he had spotted. That day, he gave up his life to save many others. Throughout his life there were many examples of his helping others, showing courage, and practicing compassion. After Seth graduated from South Brunswick High School, he wanted to join the Army; however, his parents insisted he go to college first, then go into the military. After the military experience, Seth planned to work for the FBI or the CIA. At Rutgers, Dvorin received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology in 2002. He enlisted right after graduating and attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Then, it was on to the Air Defense Artillery School at El Paso, Texas. After finishing his training, he found out that he was going to be sent to Iraq. Before going overseas, Seth married his college sweetheart, Kelly Harris. Five days after getting married he left for Iraq. In June of 2004, the South Brunswick Township Council honored this brave soldier’s ultimate sacrifice. Dvorin’s mother was presented with two plaques–one held an inscription that described how the community felt about her son. The other plaque featured a picture of Lt. Dvorin posing in front of a large American flag. The mother, in turn, announced a scholarship to be set up in her son’s name to recognize students who study the humanities. Seth Dvorin gave it his all each day of a life cut short by the tragedy of war. May his memory live on.
