Members of the 577th Expeditionary Prime Beef Squadron spell the name "Dyrk" to contribute to the hometown "Dyrkstrong" effort. Four-year-old Dyrk Burcie was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and his father's fire department co-workers began an effort to bring as many smiles to the faces of Dyrk's family as possible. Lt. Col. Michael Nester, 577 EPBS commander, is a cousin of Dyrk's Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, family. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn David McCowan)
Lt. Col. Michael Nester, 577th Expeditionary Prime Beef Squadron commander and relative of Dyrk’s family, organizes the unit's "Dyrk" contribution to the hometown "Dyrkstrong" effort. Four-year-old Dyrk Burcie was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and his father's fire department co-workers began an effort to bring as many smiles to the faces of Dyrk's family as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn David McCowan)
Members of the 577th Expeditionary Prime Beef Squadron spell the name "Dyrk" to contribute to the hometown "Dyrkstrong" effort. Four-year-old Dyrk Burcie was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and his father's fire department co-workers began an effort to bring as many smiles to the faces of Dyrk's family as possible. Lt. Col. Michael Nester, 577 EPBS commander, is a cousin of Dyrk's Dallas-Fort Worth family. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn David McCowan)
Members of the 577th Expeditionary Prime Beef Squadron spell the name "Dyrk" to contribute to the hometown "Dyrkstrong" effort. Four-year-old Dyrk Burcie was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and his father's fire department co-workers began an effort to bring as many smiles to the faces of Dyrk's family as possible. Lt. Col. Michael Nester, 577 EPBS commander, is a cousin of Dyrk's Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, family. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn David McCowan)
Lt. Col. Michael Nester, 577th Expeditionary Prime Beef Squadron commander and relative of Dyrk’s family, organizes the unit's "Dyrk" contribution to the hometown "Dyrkstrong" effort. Four-year-old Dyrk Burcie was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and his father's fire department co-workers began an effort to bring as many smiles to the faces of Dyrk's family as possible. (U.S. Air Force photo/TSgt Shawn David McCowan)
Four-year-old Dyrk Burcie (right) shares a hug with his father, Dameon (left), during one of many hospital visits. Dyrk was diagnosed with terminal cancer at 3 years old. Dameon's fire department co-workers began an effort to bring as many smiles to the faces of Dyrk's family as possible. (Courtesy photo used by permission of Dameon Burcie)
by TSgt Shawn David McCowan
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
7/15/2012 - BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN -- When 3-year-old Dyrk Burcie was diagnosed with terminal cancer, all his parents had the strength to do was hold him. Dyrk's fourth year of life was filled with painful and complicated chemotherapy treatments and tests, countless hours in hospitals and doctors' offices, and a liver transplant. Dameon and Shelley faced the heart-breaking likelihood that their son may not get better.
Instead of subjecting his young life to more pain and long hospital stays, Dyrk's mom and dad decided to stop all the medical treatments, and try to help him enjoy every possible moment they had left together.
Dameon and his co-workers at the fire department were amazed by Dyrk's resilience. The firefighters decided to team up to show their support by honoring the strength of this young boy. Soon photos of fire department equipment shaped to spell "Dyrk," began to appear all around the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond. Many other organizations across the country have since joined the goal of showing Dyrk as much support as possible.
The story of Dyrk's strength even touched the hearts of men and women in the deserts and mountains of Afghanistan.
Lt. Col. Michael Nester, the 577th Expeditionary Prime Beef Squadron commander, is a relative of Dyrk's family. When servicemembers at Bagram Airfield heard Dyrk's story, many of them were happy to help arrange a "Prime Beef" contribution.
"After eighteen months and five surgeries, and seeing all they are going through, I wanted to find a way to bring a sense of comfort and solidarity to the family," said Nester.
Many of the Prime Beef Airmen have young children of their own, so they related to Dyrk's story. TSgt. Kobe Bonner, a member of Colonel Nester's unit, was one of those Airmen moved to support Dyrk.
"Dyrk's story touches my heart personally. My son David is four. I can't even imagine the things his parents are going through. It's comforting to know people care. In a world where sometimes you don't feel like they do, it's awesome to see people band together," said Bonner.
Another participant was Capt. Jeremy Kinne. As a fellow Texas from Fort Worth, he also felt closely connected to this effort.
"I've got two young kids as well. I can only imagine how tough that is to go through something like this, and the strength Dyrk has. I heard there was an opportunity to come out here and put a smile on his face, and I'm happy to be a part of it," said Kinne.
Nester thanked volunteers who participated, but the Airmen expressed their thanks for being able to support Dyrk and his family.
