Gordy Dibler sometimes refers to Byron Fouty as his former stepson.
But listen a few minutes as Dibler talks about the young soldier, just 19 when his life came to an end in Iraq, and it becomes apparent; Army Spc. Byron Fouty was as much one of Dibler’s children as his three biological offspring.
‘I miss him terribly,? Dibler said. ‘So many little things remind me of him. The loss is really heavy.?
In Fouty’s memory, along with that of Pfc. John Dearing, Jr., a Hazel Park resident who died in Iraq in 2005, Dibler hopes to assemble a large crowd at Springfield Oaks County Park this weekend for the Inaugural Armed Forces Appreciation Day Honor Ride and Rally.
The free event takes place Sunday, May 17, and will feature a full day of family activities: kid’s games, live music, special guests, and military displays and vehicles. Dibler said he feels it’s important for members of the nonmilitary community to help support the men and women of the US Armed Forces, and said the day is meant to serve as a reminder, as well as a tribute to those currently serving.
Concessions will be sold on park grounds by the Oakland County Fair.
Staging for an honor ride will take place at Boomer’s Roadhouse in Waterford. Riders will arrive at the park about 4:30 p.m.
‘As the season starts for honoring our veterans, lets not forget the guys who are active,? Dibler said ‘These men and women are working hard every single day at being prepared. People don’t realize how much training goes into what they do. It’s not about fear-mongering or overreacting; a strong military is important for a free country.?
Dibler, retired from the GM truck plant, local 594 in Pontiac, didn’t serve in the military himself, but said he’s learned a great deal from speaking to many who have.
‘What happened to Byron was very tragic,? Dibler said. ‘I’ve met with a lot of soldiers since then, including some who served alongside him, so I know what they’ve been through.?
Fouty, who lived in several Oakland County communities as he was growing up, was kidnapped during a May 12, 2007 insurgent attack about 20 miles south of Baghdad, along with Spc. Alex R. Jimenez, 25, of Massachusetts, and Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack, Jr., 20, of California.
They were all part of the 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, New York.
Anzack’s body was found in the Euphrates River just weeks later.
Fouty and Jimenez were classified Missing in Action for over a year before their remains were found together in an Iraqi town known as Jurf as-Sakhr, about 40 miles south of Baghdad.
Although the 14 months his son was missing was a difficult time, often with one scenario after another playing out in Dibler’s mind, he held out hope and said the news didn’t bring much ‘closure,? as some assumed.
‘It’s tough,? he said. ‘I think of all the life he didn’t get to have.?
But, Dibler pointed out, his son didn’t join the Army to get a job, or because things weren’t working out at home.
‘He went to do something bigger than himself, Dibler said. ‘He really wanted to be a commando. He was using the Army to become the adult he wanted to be, the kind of person who helps those who can’t help themselves.?
Dibler’s daughter, Sarah, plans to perform a song in her brother’s honor at Sunday’s event.
‘Byron was Sarah’s best friend,? Dibler said. ‘The one she could tell anything to, the one she looked up to. I hurt for her; knowing that’s gone for her is hard.?
The event at Springfield Oaks will also honor John Dearing, Jr., who died in Habbaniyah, Iraq on Nov. 21, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations. He was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, Saginaw. He was 21.
Dearing’s father, John Dearing Sr., is working with Dibler to coordinate the ride and rally, but was unavailable for comment due to unforeseen circumstances.
Dibler said his family’s loss, the Dearing’s, and countless others serve as a poignant reminder.
‘We don’t know how long we have them,? he said. ‘We want our forces to know that we in Michigan are here to support them any way we can. Our focus is the men and women who need us, because we need them.?
For more information, contact Gordy Dibler at 248-310-5689 or John dearing at 248-808-0043.