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SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State men's golf student-athlete Sakke Siltala has been invited to participate at the 2025 Patriot All-America Invitational in honor of the late Sean D. Diamond, an Army Staff Sergeant from Dublin, California.

The 54-hole stroke-play tournament, in which collegiate golfers participating pay homage to our military heroes, takes place December 29-31 at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona.

At the opening ceremony, each golfer receives and carries a commemorative PING golf bag that bears the name and branch of a fallen or wounded hero. Additionally, all golfers have the opportunity to visit Luke Air Force Base, the training center for our nation's F-35 fighter pilots. There, they meet with the Base Commander, fighter pilots and crew, and tour the base while participating in activities rarely seen by civilians.

Siltala earned his invitation following a historic 2024-25 season for the Bobcat, which culminated with the first-ever appearance for TXST at the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships. He was named an All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team selection as well as a Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar and a CSC Academic All-District honoree.

Sean D. Diamon
Branch of Service | Army
Rank | Staff Sergeant
Hometown | Dublin, California
Date of Death/Injury | February 15, 2009

Army Staff Sergeant Sean D. Diamond, 41, of Dublin, California was assigned to the 610th Engineer Support Company, 555th Engineer Brigade in Fort Lewis, Washington. He was killed February 15, 2009, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Salam, Iraq.

SSG Diamond first joined the Army in 1987, spending two years in active duty and six years in the Army Reserve. After a brief break in service, he returned to active duty after the attacks of September 11th, 2001, and became a heavy equipment operator. SSG Diamond participated in more than 100 combat patrols with his company and worked on more than 25 construction projects.
 
SPC Shawn Durham recalled, "I met SSG Diamond in 2006 He and I served together and he always guided me and provided mentorship as a soldier, NCO and as a father." His son said, "What I admire the most about my dad was that he never talked badly about anyone and always made sure that we were happy. To my dad, family always came first. To know my dad is to have a friend for life."

SSG Diamond is survived by his wife, Laura and four children, Taylor, Madison, Sean, and Athena.