Loosefoot 616 Memorial Run Unites

Loosefoot 616 Memorial Run Unites

by CAPT Jim Gillcrist, USN (Ret.)

On Saturday, 27 August 2022, The AWS1 James Buriak Foundation hosted the first ever Loosefoot 616 Memorial Run at Tidelands Park in Coronado, Virginia Beach, and virtually. 784 registrants (comprised of 443 runners in San Diego, 116 in Virginia Beach, and 225 virtually) participated in what turned out to be an extraordinarily successful event which united pilots, aircrewmen, and families from across the Rotary Force in honor of shipmates who perished aboard Loosefoot 616 one year ago.

Seeing active-duty personnel and their families gather to support this event made the day special from the start. To get a feel for the moment, Skipper Dalo, HSC-8 Commanding Officer, consented to share his “prerace opening tribute” with NHA Members as follows:

“Good morning everyone, One year ago, on the 31st of August 2021, the nation lost five incredible, beautiful, and unique people in a helicopter mishap off the coast of Southern California. Each of them was the very best this nation has to offer. They lived wonderful lives, and they were the masters of their craft. They had genuine love stories and were amazing family members. Brad Foster, Paul Fridley, and Jimmy Buriak were incredible sons, husbands, and fathers. Sarah Burns was a devoted wife and a loving sister while Bailey Tucker was a wonderful son and a friend to many. But their loss united many and serves as a reminder of the gift we are given every day. So today, I would ask that, as you run, please reflect on the life you live. Carry on their spirit, one of Love, Honor, Compassion, Courage, Dedication, Service and Joy. Run just a little harder, a little further, and a little faster in their honor and memory.”

The James Buriak Foundation Team led by Megan Buriak ran a well organized and orchestrated event with proceeds going to support the mission: “To ensure the sacrifices of those in the aviation community are honored and those who are left behind are supported, empowered, and continue to be part of the community.”

The foundation is an all-volunteer military and military spouse organization dedicated to providing pre-mishap education and immediate post-mishap support for the Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Community and their families. The motto is Prepare, Respond, and Remember.

Founder and President, Megan Buriak, says that the date next year for the 2nd Annual Loosefoot 616 Memorial Run for San Diego, Virginia Beach, and virtually will be held Saturday, 19 August 2023, and intends to host a run in Washington D.C. as well. Furthermore, the foundation will be seeking sponsorship support for next year’s event so please pass the word far and wide.

If you wish to make a donation, purchase merchandise, or contact Megan Buriak to find out how you can be more involved, then please visit the foundation’s website at https://theaws1jamesburiakfoundation.org. The team updates this social media platform regularly with events, shares resource information from other foundations similarly aligned in doing good, and offers outreach, help, and support if a rotary wing member is in trouble.

Megan’s goal is to have this Memorial Run become a legacy event from CONUS to FDNF in support of our rotary wing aviation community. The foundation is currently mission capable, mission ready, and looking forward to actively briefing commands and squadrons on their program of pre-mishap education. This entails how to best prepare military members for a worst-case scenario while keeping a positive perspective and how to ensure family members are educated and aware of things they could encounter if they are not. As Megan puts it, my focus is “educating people and bringing awareness to what can and could happen by shining light on what did happen to our family after we lost Jimmy. I thought we were prepared, but little did I know there were so many things that I had to learn the hard way. I want to use our lessons as a way forward so others may have it easier, be better prepared, and find stepping-stones from our journey!”