Senior Airman Michael J. Buras, Decorated War Veteran, Gave Till The End! by Military Wall Of Honor on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 8:39pm
�
Senior Airman Michael J. Buras was no stranger to roadside bomb blasts.
He was wounded by one as a gunner on a mine-resistant ambush vehicle on his first deployment to Afghanistan with the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron from Nellis Air Force Base.
�On Tuesday, the 23-year-old bomb technician from Fitzgerald, Ga.,�gave his life for others when an undetected IED detonated.
�"While responding to an IED (improvised explosive device) event, Senior Airman Michael Buras died when an undetected IED detonated," his commander, Lt. Col. Mark McCloud, said during a press briefing Wednesday at the main entrance to the Nellis base.
��"Airman Buras and his teammates are decorated war veterans. They are patriots, and they exemplify what it means to serve as part of our highly trained, tight-knit, elite team," McCloud said. "Their families and friends will be in our thoughts and prayers as we go through this difficult time."
�Nellis officials said Buras was on his third combat deployment overseas. He had served in Iraq once and Afghanistan twice.
Buras was awarded a Purple Heart medal for injuries he suffered during a roadside bomb blast while he was a gunner on his first Afghanistan tour.
�Sen. Harry Reid,�released a statement late Wednesday saying he was saddened to hear about the death of Buras.��"Michael Buras represented his fellow airmen from Nellis with dignity by serving our country with honor. My thoughts go out to Airman Buras' family, friends and fellow airmen during this difficult time," Reid said.
�In March, a CNN crew interviewed Buras at Nellis comparing the Oscar-winning movie "The Hurt Locker" to what he faced in the field.
�At the time, Buras said the airmen have to rely on each other.� "That's how we do what we do," Buras said. "We have each other over there. We use each other. We build off each other. We train together, we live together, we eat together. When you're over there, you're together every day, every night."���Buras leaves behind a 1-year-old daughter.
�Words can not describe how much we�appreciate you Michael.� I pray that your baby girl always knows how much she was loved and what her father has meant to this Nation.� I will keep her in our prayers and promise to never forget your sacrifice.�
With all our Respect!
Gabe Vaughan
�
�
Link to Airman Buras facebook page http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000826986641
�
Comments/Citation
From Patriots for America-Georgia:
Please wrap your wings around the family of SrA Michael J. Buras:
The Department of Defense announced the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Senior Airman Michael J. Buras, 23, of Fitzgerald, Ga., died Sept. 21 of wounds suffered as the result of an improvised explosive device detonation in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
A Fitzgerald family is mourning the death of a military family member tonight.
23 year old Michael Buras, a Senior Airman with Airforce was killed in a possible explosion yesterday.
It's the type of news no one is prepared for. "His dad called me yesterday morning from California and told me that Michael was gone," said his aunt Terri Sumner.
"They always say God takes the good ones first," said his grandmother Olive Butrica.
Family members found out Tuesday that 23-year old Michael Buras was killed in Afghanistan. He was traveling down the road in a convoy, when something hit his truck. "I understand there were only three in the truck, the other two were injured but unfortunately Mike didn't make it," said his grandmother.
Michael worked as a demolition specialist and worked on dismantling bombs. His family members say they realized the danger of his career but supported him 100 percent. "We were a little worried, but that's what he wanted to do," said his grandmother.
Family members last saw Michael in July, right before he left for Afghanistan for the third time. "When I talked to him, he was actually taxiing down the runway and he said I'm leaving and that's the last time I said goodbye," said his grandmother.
But its not the first time he's been in an accident overseas.
During his last tour he was injured in an explosion and awarded a purple heart.
But that didn't stop Michael from going back, even though family members wish it did. "I'm proud of him but I don't think they should have ever sent him back after he got wounded," said his grandfather Irv Butrica.
Michael's unexpected and sudden loss is touching the community too.Today Coach Vaughn made an emotional announcement in honor of Michael over the intercom at Fitzgerald high school. Something he hoped would touch the lives of others. "I made that step to recognize him and what he did, I never had the chance to do so without question I respect that more than anything," he said.
Just as Michael touched his own.
His mother and father are in the process of bringing his body back to Fitzgerald, where they plan to have a ceremony in his honor.
Family members say Airman Buras will likely be buried in Atlanta.
"Our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends, and fellow Airmen affected by the loss of Airman Buras in Afghanistan," said Lt. Col. Mark McCloud, 99th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "Airman Buras was a dedicated professional and a true patriot and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are also with our other two Airmen who were injured and are receiving care in the AOR."
|
