My walk today was dedicated in honor of :
Marine Veteran SGT Gregory Dean Byram, Age 55 of Sevierville, TN.
Died April, 15, 2019
Gregory Byram entered the USMC Jan 13, 1983 as a Engineer Equipment Mechanic which he held for 10 years.
Greg attended basic training in San Diego, California, and also served war time during the Persian Gulf War.
Greg won many awards during his time of service to include: Rifle Marksman Badge, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Rifle Expert Badge (3 separate awards), Pistol Sharp Shooter, Pistol Expert Badge, 3 Meritorious Mast, Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2nd Award), 4 letters of appreciation, national defense service medal, joint meritorious unit award, and meritorious unit commendation. Greg was stationed at several duty stations throughout his time of service to include: Japan, Philippines, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Yuma, Arizona to name a few.
He loved the Marine Corp and was very patriotic. During his military experience Greg became sick and contracted miliaria and also had a bomb that exploded nearby which caused him to become legally blind. Greg received honorable discharge in 1993.
Greg entered the civilian work force and became a mechanic working several different companies till he found his home at K&K Truck Shop. Greg eventually became disabled and was able to connect it to his time serving with the USMC. Greg was awarded 100% service connected disability. Greg fought hard, especially over the last several
years on April 15th, 2019 he succumbed to the illnesses he contracted in the military. During his last few days Greg made a statement which showed how much he loved the Marine Corp. He said “I have called in the artillery strike on my own position, because the enemy has overrun me.” Greg knew that his time was up and he had fought hard till the end and wanted to be with his Lord and Savior.
Greg was a honorable Marine, husband, son, father, grandpa, and all around gentleman.
Had a wonderful walk. It was nice to meet Greg’s family. I became friends on Facebook with Greg in March of 2014 and got to meet him for the first time on March 5, 2014. We had the chance to visit a couple more times. We had a lot in common. We both had eye problems and were going blind. So we got to talk a little about that. Walking to his grave today and having Tap’s played by Joe White , Cumberland County Honor Guard was really great. It was nice to meet his family.
We will keep his memory alive.
Thank you for your dedication Tim
Thank you Liz, glad that I can honor our heroes. They deserve my all.
Thank you for you time, service, and dedication.
Thank you Daniel. It’s the least I can do for them.
This is so powerful and positive. Thank you for all that you do to honor these patriots. Both of my nephews served in the Middle East and have severe PTSD. They will never be the same.
Thank you Robin, I also want to thank your nephews for their service. I hope and pray that they are getting the help that they need. We owe that to them for what they have done for us.
As the wife of Greg Byram, I can’t tell you enough how much this means to me and our family. Greg was a very intricate part of our family and to have him honored today was very emotional and proud day for me. It’s very important to me that he isn’t forgotten and it was one of the things he asked of me during our last few days together, “just please don’t let our grand babies forget me” and I made a promise that would never happen, they love his too much. He loved his family and this country and I know he would be very humbled but proud. What you are doing means more than you will ever know, keep up the good work and may God bless you Thank you
Sherri Byram
Thank you Sherri, I can not imagine what you went threw or what your thoughts were. My heart goes out to you. Several years ago, I guess its been about 16 years now , I had a dream one night and I was in a war and the guy next to me had gotten shot and I held him in my arms as he was dying .. He told me … don’t let them forget me.. I have not told anyone this story but what that dying soldier told me was imprinted into my brain as I started honoring the fallen back then by posting their photo’s on the walls of the internet. It has eventually led to this. I will honor them till the day I pass. They will NEVER be forgotten….
Thank You
Thank you Tim for honoring our friend Greg Byram and for all the soldiers you do this for . My husband is retired Army my youngest son currently serves . Thank you again for what you do .
Thank you Angela, Was glad that I could Honor Greg today. He was a good man and I am so glad that I had gotten to meet him a few times.