Dear Friends,
James "Jimmy" Buriak was born in Salem in 1990, graduated from Salem High School in 2008, graduated from Roanoke College in 2012, and joined the US Navy in 2017. While in Guam in 2020, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for saving a tourist while he was off duty. When asked about, he said "I just happened to be the person there and I would like to think that regardless of who it was, they would have done the same. Someone said they needed help, and anyone would do the same in my shoes."
On August 31, 2021, AWS1 James Buriak and four of his fellow service members lost their lives when their helicopter crashed into the ocean outside of San Diego. He was survived by his wife Megan and their young son. This afternoon many will be gathering at Olde Salem Brewing to bring awareness to his legacy, enjoy good food and drink, and to raise funds for future Navy and Marine Corps families who experience aviation mishaps. Details and ticket information are available here. Contributions may also be made to the AWS1 James Buriak Foundation here.
This weekend, our nation honors the thousands of Americans known and unknown who like AWS1 James Buriak gave the last full measure of devotion in defense of our liberties.
Included below is information about several opportunities this weekend to honor those who gave their lives in defense of our liberties.
Sincerely,
David Suetterlein
Senate of Virginia
Arlington - 9:00 am
Fallen Defenders: Past to Present at the Salem Museum
Salem - 10:00 am
Memorial Day Observance Tour at Evergreen Burial Park
Roanoke - 10:00 am
Jimmy Fest at Olde Salem Brewing Company
Salem - 2:00 pm Ticketed Event
Wytheville - 1:30 pm
Roanoke - 8:00 am
Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony
Dublin - 9:30 am
Memorial Day Service & Lunch at Veterans Park and Henry Fork Church of the Brethren
Rocky Mount - 11:00 am
Remembering their Sacrifice at the National D-Day Memorial
Bedford - 11:00 am
Commonwealth's Memorial Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial
Richmond and ONLINE - 11:00 am
Memorial Day Remembrance at William Preston's Smithfield
Blacksburg - 12:00 pm
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