Airman's life remembered, memorialized

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Nathan Gallahan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  A fallen Airman was remembered and his life memorialized during a ceremony at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Oct. 1.

More than 100 people gathered for the ceremony, including commanders, chiefs, fellow Airmen, congressional delegates and a local area mayor. They all witnessed the dedication of a 3-foot granite memorial, which now stands silently bearing the name of Staff Sgt. Bryan Berky, an explosive ordnance disposal technician from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron, who lost his life in Afghanistan Sept. 12, 2009.

"It's been a little more than a year since we lost our fellow Airman, a loving husband, a doting father, a faithful son and a devout friend," said Lt. Col. Matthew Joganich, 28th CES commander. "And while we mourn his loss today, we also gather to pay lasting tribute to his steadfast devotion and sacrifice."

Sergeant Berky's devotion to his country led him to enlist in the Air Force after graduating high school in 2002. His chosen career field led him to Ellsworth.

"Sergeant Berky understood the potential cost of serving his county and unhesitatingly stepped up to make a difference," the commander said. "He deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and proudly performed his duties."

Sergeant Berky died while escorting a World Food Organization convoy delivering food to impoverished villages in remote parts of Afghanistan.

"Even during his final mission, Sergeant Berky was making a difference," Colonel Joganich said.

After the speeches concluded and the memorial was unveiled, solemn witnesses quietly talked and remembered Sergeant Berky. Two of those people were Master Sgt. Anthony Blackmon and Tech. Sgt. Jayson Wells. Both Airmen are from the 28th CES Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight and worked with Sergeant Berky.

"He was a family man who was very dedicated to his work," said Sgt. Blackmon, EOD flight chief. "He loved EOD with a passion. He was one of those guys who would always come in and make a situation better."

"He kept me in tears laughing because he had quite the sense of humor," said Sgt. Wells, EOD operator. "He was an outstanding Airman. The entire world will feel his loss, whether or not they realize it is another matter. He will definitely be missed by the Air Force. If every Airman followed in his footsteps, the Air Force would be a better place. I miss him."

Sergeant Blackmon also talked about life since Sergeant Berky's death. "This has been a very hard hitting and heartbreaking time for us, but we've all pulled together and kept our in garrison mission going as well as the downrange mission going," he said.

As for the memorial ceremony itself, both Airmen agreed it's nice to bring this tragedy to a conclusion.

"Today means a lot to me," Sergeant Blackmon said. "Adding his name to the monument was satisfying and helped bring closure to the flight."

As for Sergeant Wells, he said, "It's great the Air Force has made a permanent memorial marker for him, but I was able to say goodbye to him at his actual funeral. It's been a year and it's time to put this to rest... time to let him rest in peace."