Friends, family and community members gathered at Green Hill Park on Monday morning as Roanoke County dedicated the Diuguids Lane bridge in memory of Aircrewman Rescue Swimmer James Philip Buriak. Buriak served as a Naval swimmer with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight. He died on Aug.
31, 2021, when his helicopter “Loosefoot 616” crashed off the coast of San Diego. “Today, I am honored to honor my friend, my brother, James Philip Buriak, in the dedication of this bridge,” Patrick Pollifrone, a lifelong friend of Buriak’s, said. “When we all cross it, I hope you remember the man that Jimmy was – the joy that he brought to the world with his huge heart and epic laugh, the friend that he was to anyone and everyone, the loyal husband that he was to his beautiful wife, the work ethic that he put forth in everything he did, the respectful son that his parents could be proud of, the father that he was to his son and the true American hero that he became for our great nation.
” Buriak was born in Salem and graduated from Salem High School, as well as Roanoke College. In 2017, he joined the Navy. When he was almost done with his training to become a Navy SEAL, he was injured, Pollifrone said.
Despite his injury, Buriak “still wanted to serve his country at a high level,” Pollifrone said, which is when Buriak became a rescue swimmer. “By dedicating this bridge, we are reminded [of] the values Jimmy embodied: bravery, service, patriotism,” Martha Hooker, vice c.
