Ryan Balmer laid to rest

The hulking red maple stood over the grave site, its tall, thick canopy shielding mourners from the worst of the sun's midafternoon heat.

Judging by its ample trunk, one could say the tree in Southlawn Cemetery has enjoyed a long life of protecting and serving others. It likely will continue doing so for many years to come.

An Iraqi insurgent's improvised explosive device robbed Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ryan A. Balmer of that opportunity. At the 33-year-old Mishawaka native's burial service Thursday, U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dana Simmons lauded him for his bravery, thanked his family for nurturing him, and made them a promise.

"I promise that the United States Air Force and the (Office of Special Investigations) will not forget Ryan," said Simmons, commander of the OSI. "We won't forget his life, his contributions to us, what he gave us, and what he did for us. He had a love for his country that was greater than his fear for his own personal safety. Those are attributes we all will work toward as well."

At times during the service, it sounded as though many of the roughly 150 people who attended were sobbing. Their grief grew especially audible during the full military honors portion of the service.

An Air Force Reserve firing squad, with movements crisp and coordinated, fired rifles into the air, the report startling some mourners.

A bugler sounded the slow, hauntingly familiar taps.

Directly overhead, an Air Force plane's engines grew louder and louder, reaching a thunderous climax before trailing off to silence again.

At one point, Simmons brought a welcome bit of levity. He told of a "crusty old major" who was Balmer's first commander in Iraq. Balmer had nicknamed him "Daddy."

"Anytime the major started getting upset or intense, you would hear Ryan say, 'Daddy's in a bad mood today everybody,'" said Simmons, drawing plenty of chuckles.

"Everybody would break out into laughter, even the major, who sent me a note that said that it really changed his outlook, from everything being horrible and complaining about everything, to rejoicing with the company that he was in."

As the service ended, Balmer's loved ones lined up and took turns paying their final respects. Some knelt and prayed. Others kissed their hand then touched the casket with that hand.

Balmer's mother, Patricia Balmer, knelt and rested her head on the casket, sobbing. After a few moments, Balmer's wife, Danielle, put an arm around her mother-in-law and helped her walk away.

Later, Patricia Balmer had managed to gather her thoughts for a reporter.

"He was a wonderful person, he really was," she said. "He has honored America, he's honored his family, and I couldn't have did better.

"It's very hard. Very hard. But I'm so proud of him. So proud."

So, too, are those who never met Balmer but felt compelled Thursday to honor his sacrifice.

Before the burial, more then a dozen congregation members from Evangel Heights Methodist Church stood outside the church on Ironwood Drive with flags in hand waiting for Balmer's funeral procession.

It was about 12:15 p.m. when the procession made its way to the flag-lined lawn in front of the church.

"I think we need to honor those all over the community who served," Pastor Pat Somers said. "Unfortunately, I think things like this draw our community together."

To help honor Balmer, Karen Gholson's husband drilled 46 holes into the dry ground Thursday morning for flags to fit in.

Thursday's gathering to watch the procession was announced at the church's Wednesday night service, which is where sisters Carrie Temples, 24; Kristin Light, 23; and Morgan Light, 19, along with their father, Randy Light, were told of the event.

The family came during their lunch break to honor Balmer.

"It's important to show support," Temples said. "It just puts the rest of your day in perspective."

As the cars steadily drove by Evangel Heights, church members showed their flags and waved at the cars.

The church's bell fatefully tolled in the background, and a sign outside the church read, "In memory of Ryan Balmer. God's peace."

From the South Bend Tribune

Related Link:
Ryan A. Balmer dies 'of wounds suffered when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device'