Family of AWS2 James Buriak, Navy Helo Crash
Please help us support the family of Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class James "Jimmy" Buriak.
On Tuesday, August 31st, 2021, five families made the ultimate sacrifice when they lost their loved ones in an MH-60S helicopter crash off the coast of San Diego, California.
Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd class AWS2 James “Jimmy” Philip Buriak was born on May 9, 1990. He grew up in the small town of Salem, Virginia, where he graduated from Salem High School and Roanoke College. He joined the Navy in January, 2017 and served as a rescue swimmer assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight (HSC-8) “Eightballers”. Jimmy was known as a hero, rescuing a tourist swimming in Gun Beach, Guam in February 2020. When interviewed he stated, “I would like to think 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.” Earlier this week, at the age of 31, the world lost the best man, husband, father and Air Crewman while training off the coast of San Diego, California. Jimmy is survived by his wife, Megan Diane Buriak, son, Caulder Buriak, father, James Buriak, mother, Carol Buriak, sister, Laura Buriak, and brother-in-law, Erik Zickefoose. Jimmy loved his family more than life, CrossFit workouts, his truck, his dog, Ava, being outside, and the ocean. His favorite things were to play with his son, Caulder, and crack jokes with his wife. While he may be gone, his memory will live on forever through those who have had the honor of being graced with his presence.
This fundraiser will help the Buriak family as they navigate this difficult transition. If you are able, any contribution is appreciated and funds will be utilized for living expenses, housing expenses, childcare, and education costs.
Thank you for your care and support.
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Please support all of our affected Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight (HSC-8) crew members:
General Fund for all five Crew Members involved, to be divided equally: gofundme.com/f/families-of-the-navy-helicopter-crash
Lieutenant Bradley A. Foster, 29. Survived by his wife, Beth, and their one year-old daughter, Audrey: gofundme.com/f/lt-bradley-foster
Lieutenant Paul R. Fridley, 28. Survived by his wife, Sarah: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lt-paul-fridley
Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class James P. Buriak, 31. Survived by his wife, Megan, and their one year-old son, Caulder: gofundme.com/f/aws2-james-buriak
Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Sarah F. Burns, 31. Survived by her husband, Lucas: gofundme.com/f/HM2-Sarah-Burns
Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Bailey J. Tucker, 21. Survived by his parents, Jill and Jay: gofundme.com/f/HM3-Bailey-Tucker
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* These funds are being raised for the family of Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class James P. Buriak. We are in direct contact with his family, who have given us consent to host this GoFundMe page. The beneficiary of this fundraiser will be AWS2 James Buriak's spouse, Megan. This fundraiser is hosted by the HSC-8 Spouses Club. The HSC-8 Spouses Club is a non-federal organization of family members and friends and does not represent the Department of Defense (DoD) or the Department of the Navy (DoN). As such, no DoD/DoN endorsement should be implied.
