I Got The News Today (IGTNT), which is one of the oldest continuous series on Daily Kos, provides members of this community a venue to pay their respects to those who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and in Operation Inherent Resolve. The IGTNT title is a reminder that nearly every day the family of an active duty service member receives the terrible news that their beloved has died.
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Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan D. Burris
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The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan D. Burris, 24, of Lisle, Illinois, died May 21, in Abu Dhabi, UAE, of a non-combat related incident at Zayed Military City. The incident is under investigation.
He was temporarily assigned to the Crisis Response Element of Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula, Special Operations Command Central, U.S. Central Command.
~ DoD News Release
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan D. Burris, 24, of Lisle, Illinois
Ryan Burris was a 2009 graduate of Lisle High School where he excelled in football, wrestling and track and field as well as participating in Boy Scouts through the end of his senior year.
Ryan joined the Navy in 2012 and it came as no surprise to anyone as his family is rich in military service. During World War II both Ryan's grandfathers served, one in the Army and the other in the Navy. Both Burris' father and his uncle served in the Army and his cousin served several tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ryan's mother, Karen Burris described her son as "Just a really nice guy, the typical all-American. And he really did like apple pie." Karen added that although her heart is broken, she’s happy to know that her son died doing important work that he loved.
"There's a lot of patriotic heritage, we're very proud of our family. Every mother worries about her child. Well, this is always what he's wanted to do. He wanted to follow his dreams and I was with him 100 percent."
That Petty Officer Burris was passionate about a call to serve is evidenced by a quote he listed on his facebook page:
I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: I served in the United States Navy.
~ John F. Kennedy
On Easter Sunday PO3 Burris' left on this, his first deployment. He was able to visit with his family shortly before deployment. Mother, Karen recalls the last visit:
"I was really blessed to be his mom. He was always putting others first. He was excited to be able to share good times with his friends and family."
Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan D. Burris leaves behind his parents and sisters Audrey and Tamara.
In ending, I can think of no better tribute to this brave sailor than his own words on facebook where he shared a music video he liked - American Oxygen by Rihanna. His post reads in part:
...At the end of the day be proud and glad that you live free in the greatest country on the face of the earth; a country where you have rights and the opportunity to rise up, to make yourself better, and provide a better future for your children.
Be a Proud American and raise your flag high because it is a symbol of the freedoms that too many lives have been lost fighting for.
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About the IGTNT series:
"I Got the News Today" is a diary series intended to honor, respect, and remind us of the sacrifice of our US troops. Click here to see the series, which was begun by i dunno in 2004 and now is maintained by Sandy on Signal, i dunno, noweasels, blue jersey mom, Chacounne, twilight falling, SisTwo, SpamNunn, TrueBlueMajority, CalNM, Wide Awake in Kentucky, maggiejean, Ekaterin, TheFatLadySings, Joy of Fishes, and me, JaxDem.
These diaries are heartbreaking to write, but are an important service to those who have died and show our community’s respect for them. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
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Please bear in mind that these diaries are read by friends and family of the service members mentioned here. May all of our remembrances be full of compassion rather than politics.