The Connection

The Sigholtz Center, a new multipurpose center on the army base in Del Din, Italy, was dedicated to the Sigholtz family Friday, Aug. 1.

The namesake service members of the new center, Col. Robert Sigholtz Sr. and Capt. Robert Sigholtz Jr. of the Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade, were the husband and son of Roberta 'Cis’ Sigholtz, a McLean resident.

Col. Sigholtz Sr. was a “legendary battalion commander in the 173d Airborne Brigade during the Vietnam War,” said Michael Montie, former president of the Sigholtz Capital Chapter of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Association. “During his 1966-67 command tenure, the 2nd Battalion conducted the only combat parachute assault undertaken by the United States during the War.” Sigholtz Sr. returned from war to serve as a professor and athletic director at Georgetown University, manager of RFK Stadium and founder of the Sigholtz Capital Chapter of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Association before his passing in 2005, Montie said.

Capt. Sigholtz Jr. was killed in action in Vietnam on May 26, 1969. “He was serving in the same battalion of the 173rd that his father had earlier commanded,” Montie said. “Captain Sigholtz is the namesake of the Sigholtz Capital Chapter.”

Whitney Knoerlein, former DC 101 radio host, represented the Sigholtz family at the dedication of the center as the second granddaughter of Col. Robert and Roberta ‘Cis’ Sigholtz.

“The building was dedicated to my grandfather and my uncle for their service and sacrifice,” Knoerlein said. She toured the Sigholtz Center and met the brigade, then attended the unveiling ceremony, where former Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts was awarded the Medal of Honor, and the formal Brigade Ball.

When the decision of who to dedicate the multipurpose center to came up, “once someone mentioned it should be named after the Sigholtz family, there was no question,” Knoerlein said. Her grandfather and uncle were known as the men who wanted to fight on the front lines, she said. “They never shied away.”

Both Sigholtz Sr. and Sigholtz Jr. were called “multipurpose men,” Knoerlein added, “so the meaning of the building really seemed to fit.”

Knoerlein said she was overwhelmed by the respect and honor for history and the men that died. “There is really a lot of personality, charisma and camaraderie in the brigade,” Knoerlein said. “To see that dedication, drive and love that these guys have is pretty outstanding.”

A common string throughout her family is the Sigholtz sense of humor, Knoerlein added. “My uncle who was killed in Vietnam had a hell of a sense of humor. So does my grandmother.”

Roberta ‘Cis’ Sigholtz is the official Founding Mother of the Sigholtz Capital Chapter. “Cis is one of the most positive ladies I’ve ever met, and she has had a tough life,” Montie said.

She remained close to the chapter, even though many who lose loved ones shy away from being constantly reminded, Knoerlein said. “My grandmother lost both of her children,” she added. Knoerlein’s mother and Ms. Sigholtz’s second child passed away in 1980. “But she carried on and rebuilt her life. She went on to work and smile and live every day.”

“Tell it like it is, honey,” Roberta Sigholtz chimed in.

“She always says things like ‘Tell it like it is,’ and ‘Never forget where you came from and you’ll never get lost,’” Knoerlein said. “She has this incredible spirit.”