WHEREAS, Naval Air Crewman 2nd Class James P. Buriak, USN, of Salem died in the line of duty on August 31, 2021; and
WHEREAS, James "Jimmy" Buriak graduated from Salem High School and earned a bachelor's degree in sports management from Roanoke College; and
WHEREAS, desirous to be of service to the nation, Jimmy Buriak joined the United States Navy and was assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8 based at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego; and
WHEREAS, while on Gun Beach in Guam in 2020, Jimmy Buriak, a trained rescue swimmer, was alerted that a surfer had been caught in a rip current and heroically dove into the water to help pull the individual to shore; and
WHEREAS, on August 31, 2021, Jimmy Buriak was conducting routine flight operations from the USS Abraham Lincoln when his Sikorsky MH-60S helicopter crashed off the coast of California; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Buriak served the nation with integrity and dedication, and his tragic loss is a reminder of the dangers faced by men and women in uniform at home and abroad; and
WHEREAS, Jimmy Buriak will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Megan; his son, Caulder; his parents, Jim and Carol; his sister, Laura, and her family; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Naval Air Crewman 2nd Class James P. Buriak, USN; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Naval Air Crewman 2nd Class James P. Buriak, USN, as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.