Remembering a local hero Major Ryan David

[Nebfansker]

We lost an American hero Sunday night. Major Ryan David and three others serving in the National Guard lost their lives fighting forest fires in South Dakota. Their C-130 crashed Sunday night. Two others were severely injured in the crash. Major David graduated from Bellevue East where he was a standout football player. He was a die hard Husker fan Washington Redskins fan. He loved his wife and son with all his heart. He had an infectious smile that would brighten the room. He always saw the positive side in life. Let's remember all those who serve our country and honor those who lost their lives for us. RIP Major Ryan S. David. You will always be remembered. One last time, GO BIG RED! Just for you Major David!

 

http://www.charlotte...e-me-smile.html

 

http://www.ketv.com/...8z/-/index.html

 

http://www.kmtv.com/.../161301585.html

 

http://www.wcnc.com/...-161308465.html

 

 

 

 

 

[True2tRA]

Before this thread is moved, this is far more important than any f#*k'n football game will ever be. God Bless this young man, and God bless his family. Some Brave men and women devote their lives to a greater cause day in and day out. A far greater cause than any sport will ever mean. I am thankful and respectful of guys like Ryan David and all the other men like him who devote everything to the country they love. I can't express how sorry I am for the ones he left behind. Especially the little ones. I can only assure them that they have an angel watching over them forever and always. Happy Independence Day to all of you. Please be grateful for the things you have, they can all be taken away in an instant.

 

And Go Big Red Sir!

[Haspula]

RIP

[suh_fan93]

Thanks for posting this. RIP

[Comish]

Before this thread is moved, this is far more important than any f#*k'n football game will ever be. God Bless this young man, and God bless his family. Some Brave men and women devote their lives to a greater cause day in and day out. A far greater cause than any sport will ever mean. I am thankful and respectful of guys like Ryan David and all the other men like him who devote everything to the country they love. I can't express how sorry I am for the ones he left behind. Especially the little ones. I can only assure them that they have an angel watching over them forever and always. Happy Independence Day to all of you. Please be grateful for the things you have, they can all be taken away in an instant.

 

And Go Big Red Sir!

+ 1

[Foppa]

I wonder how many Husker fans would let Nebraska football go winless for 10 years if it meant this man was able to get his life back. Makes you think. Condolences to his family. Hopefully Nebraska does a memorial for him at a game this year. I'm sure he would've liked that.

[Blackshirt]

Thanks for sharing this. Very sad indeed. I graduated from Bell East with Ryan. He was exactly as Nebfansker described him.

 

I'll remember him for many other reasons, but to give him some football cred - he was the most sure-handed tackler on the team. One of those guys who had he happened to be 3 inches taller would likely have gone D1 and dominated.

 

Ryan was truly "one of the good ones", and I won't forget him. Thanks for your sacrifice Ryan, and also to your family.

[NUance]

BELLEVUE, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska family members of one of the four airmen killed during a plane crash while fighting wildfires in South Dakota say he always wanted to serve his country.

 

KMTV-TV reports that family members say Major Ryan David was a Bellevue native who leaves behind a 10-year-old son. They say he was deployed six times by the Air Force, including to the war in Iraq.

 

LINK

 

RIP Ryan David. A true hero among men.

[Nebfansker]

Two great videos showing what these Airman do every day for our country.

 

http://jalopnik.com/5923978/amazing-video-of-plane-dropping-fire-retardant-on-a-wildfire

 

http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Tribute-video-created-for-fallen-C-130--161473955.html

[paytonjsplace]

Ryan was my husband's high school best friend - they still called each other best friends. Ryan and I never lived in the same city - but forged such an incredible friendship. That was the kind of guy Ryan was -- he just loved people, with all of his heart. Makes sense that he had such a drive to help and answer the call to fight the devastating wildfires.

 

The last time I saw Ryan was at a Husker game -- 2 years ago. It was the first game he'd ever attended -- and he was BEAMING. This guy is seriously the biggest NU fan there ever was -- he loved his Huskers so much. I feel so fortunate that that is my last memory of this incredible guy.

 

The posts on here touch my heart -- and I would give up every single season of Nebraska football and so much more to have Ryan back -- not for us, but for his wife and his sweet baby boy. We lost such an incredible friend on Sunday.

[Nebfansker]

One last farewell to Major Ryan David who was buried to rest Saturday. Over 1000+ attended to pay their respects including the Govenor and a 2 star General. RIP Major David.

 

"The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for 5 minutes". -Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

 

"Mr. Speaker, it is with sadness that I rise today to honor the memory of Major Ryan S. David of Boone, North Carolina, who was a member of the North Carolina Air National Guard. On July 1, his Charlotte-based C-130 crew crashed in South Dakota while battling the State's White Draw fire. Major David was an experienced navigator who joined the National Guard in 2011 after completing Active Duty service in the U.S. Air Force. He is survived by his wife, Jenny, and his infant son, Rob.

 

Along with Major David, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Mikeal of Mooresville, Major Joseph McCormick of Belmont, and Senior Master Sergeant Robert Cannon of Charlotte gave their lives in service to our country. There's no question of the bravery and commitment of these men, and we are very grateful to them. My heart goes out to the families of these heroes and their Air National Guard colleagues. May God grant them comfort in this time of loss, and may He bless the sacrifices of these fallen." - Rep. Virginia Foxx of NC

 

"Mr. President, today I wish to honor six brave airmen with the North Carolina Air National Guard who died or were seriously injured while fighting South Dakota's White Draw Fire.

Lt. Col. Paul Mikeal, Maj. Joseph McCormick, Maj. Ryan David, and Senior Master Sgt. Robert Cannon were killed July 1 when their C-130 firefighting plane crashed near Edgemont, SD, as they battled a large forest fire in the Black Hills. Two crewmembers survived the crash but were left in critical condition.

 

Men and women in our armed forces put their lives on the line every day for their fellow servicemembers and for all Americans. They serve in the hope that these daily sacrifices will ensure a safer and more prosperous United States. Their actions are not in vain nor forgotten, and members of our armed services are continually in our thoughts and prayers.

 

Airmen fighting these fires are necessarily exposed to dangerous conditions in order for firefighters on the ground to have the chance to contain these wildfires. The importance of these domestic actions by the Air National Guard cannot be overstated. They are fighting to save our homes, our businesses, and our communities from devastating fires, often flying in very dangerous terrain.

 

The names of the fallen airmen will be added to a memorial at the unit's headquarters and their service likewise praised. Great Americans such as these continue to answer the call whenever and wherever they are needed. Our hearts go out to the families and friends of Paul, Joseph, Ryan, and Robert, and I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the lives of these men." - Senator John Thunes of SD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The last photo taken of Major Ryan S. David.

 

"With all the wildfires out west, I'm ready for the call to ride baby! Driving back up to VA in the morning for work...I'd rather be flying on a MAFFS Mission." Facebook, Major Ryan S. David

 

"I'm leaving for Charlotte in an hour. Putting on the Superman cape and headed to Colorado on Saturday for my first MAFFS! Firefighting with the C-130 for my non-military family and friends. -Facebook- Major Ryan S. David.

 

Rest In Peace Superman. You will be missed.