Fallen United States Marine, Lance Corporal Jeremy Burris will be remembered, and his family honoured at the 2022 Certified Piedmontese Beef IRONMAN Tulsa triathlon as part of the IRONMAN Foundation Gold Star Initiative.
Through the Gold Star Initiative, athletes who have served in the US military are selected to carry the American flag during the run portion of a full-distance IRONMAN or half-distance IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon in honour of a fallen US military soldier. The family is then presented to a Gold Star Family (a family of an American soldier killed in battle).
Staff Sergeant Chris Abner will take on the IRONMAN triathlon on Sunday, May 22, 2022, representing the IRONMAN Foundation Gold Star Initiative. Abner served in the United States Marine Corps from 2002 to 2016 as a Marine Corps Infantry unit leader.
He will carry the American flag during the run portion of the race in honour of his friend, Lance Corporal Jeremy Burris who was killed on October 8, 2007, while conducting combat operations in Qaim, Iraq.
Abner was with Burris at the time he was killed. Burris was 22 years old at the time of his death. In addition to carrying the American flag in honour of Lance Corporal Burris, Abner will present the flag to Lance Corporal Burris’ parents at the finish line.
“This is such a special and meaningful program for us because not only do we get to support our race communities, but we get to play a part in the healing process of those families who have lost a loved one while in active duty for our country,” said Audra Tassone-Indeck, Executive Director of The IRONMAN Foundation.
Staff Sergeant Chris Abner said “I’m very thankful for this opportunity to honour my dear friend, Lance Corporal Jeremy Burris, through the Gold Star Initiative program.
“This journey, through my training and preparation for the race, has made a huge difference for not just me, but everyone who served with Jeremy.”
Lance Corporal Jeremy Burris’ decorations include a Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Navy Sea Service Deployment Medal.
While Staff Sergeant Abner’s decorations include a Purple Heart Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal (3), and Good Conduct Medal (3), Iraqi Campaign Medal with 4 stars, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (4), Presidential Unit Citation, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Community grants
In addition to the Gold Star Initiative, continuing its Race For Change initiative in Tulsa, the IRONMAN Foundation will distribute more than US$50,000 in charitable giveback to non-profit initiatives and groups in the greater Tulsa area. This distribution includes US$5,000 for swim lessons at the YMCA of Greater Tulsa for local youth.
Last year, The IRONMAN Foundation’s Race For Change initiative kicked off in Tulsa with a partnership with the YMCA of Greater Tulsa and the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs of Tulsa to address barriers that might prevent Black athletes and other diverse groups from participating in triathlons. This year’s grant funding brings the IRONMAN Foundation’s total historical giveback in the greater Tulsa region to more than US$115,000.
The Race For Change campaign was launched in 2020 with an initial pledge of US$1 million to support programming that will help ensure equity for athletes in the sport of triathlon, and in the communities where IRONMAN athletes and first-time hopefuls live, train, and race.
www.ironmanfoundation.org/gold-star-initiative
www.ironmanfoundation.org/raceforchange
www.ironman.com
