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Massachusetts Gov orders flags lowered; family asks for funeral donations after Massachusetts Airman dies while serving country
An active-duty serviceman from Massachusetts has died while on duty.
According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, Airman First Class Pierre D. Dushime of Natick, tragically passed away while serving our country a few days ago.
“Pierre was not only a dedicated serviceman but a shining example of resilience, intelligence, and determination.
“Pierre had a deep passion for basketball, where his competitive spirit and drive shined brightly. Known for his disciplined approach to life, he was meticulously organized both mentally and physically, a testament to his commitment to excellence.
“Beyond his athletic prowess, Pierre was admired for his sharp intellect and unwavering determination to overcome obstacles. He pursued his dreams with relentless pursuit, embodying the spirit of perseverance and achievement.”
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings Wednesday from sunrise until sunset in honor of Dushime.
Fed Up
July 3, 2024 at 10:28 am
Rest in peace. Thank you for your service.
Nikita
July 3, 2024 at 11:22 am
Send that young man family the money for his burial. This is why I don’t want my son in the military. This man family should never have to set up a go fund me
Vivian Hammond
July 3, 2024 at 1:14 pm
Exactly! My father, Uncles and Aunts fought in the war at the time alonging with so many others. Because of this we’re free. There is NO REASON WHY OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AREN’T CARED FOR COMPLETLY (and families). We can do better.
Robin O’Day
July 3, 2024 at 3:44 pm
I agree. When we can give billions to take care of foreign illegals, but yet deny our veterans shelter, we should be ashamed of ourselves as a country!!! My son has 7 years left till he achieves in 20 years. I know he has one note overseas deployment that will he hard on him and his family, but he took an oath to protect and serve his country, and our country needs to take care of our veterans, especially those that have served overseas!!! Prayers for this soldiers family 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Elaine
July 12, 2024 at 10:14 am
Spot on! You took the words right out of my mouth! Our military should be top priority, not people who entered this country illegally.
Jake Perry
July 3, 2024 at 4:14 pm
Exactly! Two of my cousins, my step son and my mother-in-law also fought in the war. I put the blame on the current president and his democratic party.
Cathy
July 5, 2024 at 4:49 pm
Perhaps the family wants more than the military gives which would explain the gofundme. they do not have to pay and therefore I never donate to these requests. it’s quite possible that someone else set up the GFM account for personal use.
Don’t donate!
Linda Tryder
July 6, 2024 at 9:26 am
For an active military member, they receive approximately $400,000 DEATH BENEFIT. In this particular case, I can’t see donating. And I’m usually one of the first people to donate $20 to most Go Fund Me programs that are set up by a family member but in this case, I just don’t see why they would need it or even ask for it?
Respectfully said, that is. RIP Mr Airman.
Sue
July 5, 2024 at 8:42 pm
They get life insurance and a free burial
Jake Perry
July 3, 2024 at 4:05 pm
They don’t. The US will pay for everything. It’s what they do.
Jake Perry
July 3, 2024 at 4:07 pm
This is why you don’t want your son in the military…really???
Denise Brogan
July 3, 2024 at 4:28 pm
All members of the military are given life insurance. Signed, proud military Mother
Sue
July 5, 2024 at 8:41 pm
Yes they have burial paid for and life insurance
Kuya Kuya
July 3, 2024 at 5:24 pm
The VA pays for burial
Terri B
July 3, 2024 at 6:18 pm
Active duty service get full benefits for funeral and burial. Unless this family wants something extravagant? I don’t understand a go fund me. They are also given life insurance when they enlist.
Jill Salemno
July 4, 2024 at 8:54 pm
You have to elect and pay for Life insurance. Some Airmen don’t get coverage.
Ken jang
July 3, 2024 at 6:36 pm
He died on active duty. The family is going to get $100,000.
Coral Grout
July 3, 2024 at 6:44 pm
All military passing in line of duty are buried at no charge in the Massachusetts State veterans cemeteries. They are lovely!
Gigi
July 4, 2024 at 7:08 am
Definitely so so True 💯% Real Talk
Isa
July 4, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Really shouldn’t be having to pay for nothing
Julie
July 4, 2024 at 3:09 pm
Good day Ms. Nikita, First and foremost, I would like to send Airman First Class Dushime’s family ,friends and fellow Airmen my condolences. The military is many things. However, they bury their fallen soldiers especially fallen in combat. First the family is notified by a military personnel and a military Chaplain and/ or Military Officer. After that, the family is assigned to a military personnel to assist with the burial and any other necessary paperwork work ie, funeral arrangement, honor guards and paperwork work for life insurance (which is a substantial amount) and any other assistance the family may require . They also cover his dependents with a monthly allowance and coverage for college. Because The death occurred during a deployment, the family gets an additional allowance for being part of the Yellow flag community. I don’t know the families situation but it’s not for the burial or caring for the dependents if there were any.. I respect you not wanting your son going into the military but don’t let the reason behind it be what you read. May you, your son and family stay safe and well. From: Retired Military Master Sergeant.
EO
July 4, 2024 at 8:04 pm
Master Sergeant, thank you for clearing that up. I did CACO’s 10 of my 20 years in the Marine Corps.
EO
July 4, 2024 at 7:57 pm
If he was on active duty, there is no reason why his family should be asking for money. The amount of money his next of kin will be receiving from the military will be more than what they’re asking for via “Go Fund Me”
Julie
July 4, 2024 at 8:12 pm
For the LAST TIME, the military pays for the FULL BURIAL. Along with life insurance from 100,000 to 400.000 dollars plus additional for all dependents monthly allowance and college. Stop slamming the military!! Stop being a reactionary and do your own research or ask someone who is or were in the military. SHAME on the family for acting on the sympathy of others for their own personal addenda.
Clark Adams
July 4, 2024 at 10:24 pm
Military personnel who die on active duty have all funeral expenses including transportation to final rest place paid fully by the US government. At the time of death a gratuity equal to 6 months base pay is awarded to the service members next of kin there’s additional payments based on the circumstances by the DOD and VA. These GO Fund Ne collections while nice are not needed to meet funeral expenses.
Mary L Myrer
July 3, 2024 at 11:28 am
I am so sorry for your loss. May he Rest in Peace.🙏 🇺🇲
Annette
July 3, 2024 at 11:42 am
Rest In Peace Thank you for your service
ylt222
July 3, 2024 at 12:24 pm
My deepest sympathy for Pierre’s family, friends, fellow service members & all missing him.
Pierre, may you find peace and wholeness on the other side. Thank you for your service!
lyle cooper
July 3, 2024 at 1:52 pm
The family has the option of a burial with full honors
Jayne
July 3, 2024 at 1:47 pm
Thank you for your service. SIR. Rest in peace. You’re family must be so proud of you. Bless this family as they are living the ultimate sacrifice.
LouTessie Murray-Bey
July 3, 2024 at 2:18 pm
Sorry for your loss praying for you and your family? Thank you for your service young man
Susan Marie Barnicle
July 3, 2024 at 2:37 pm
I had the pleasure of working with Pierre and watching him grow and thrive. He was a sweet and wonderful soul. Rest in Peace. My heart goes out to his lovely family.
Jill Salemno
July 4, 2024 at 9:00 pm
So sorry for your loss💕
Karen
July 3, 2024 at 2:43 pm
Why should the family have to pay for his service he’s active duty? The government should be paying for the expenses.Thank you young man for your service and my condolences to his family/friends and fellow servicemen. 🇺🇲
Gail LePage
July 3, 2024 at 5:18 pm
Thank you for your service! Rest in Peace! 😥💔🙏
Kuya Kuya
July 3, 2024 at 5:26 pm
Rest in peace my brother
Marie
July 3, 2024 at 6:43 pm
If he died on active duty doesn’t the military provide a death gratuity? I know he should be eligible for a military funeral
Roger
July 4, 2024 at 5:17 am
Yes.. that’s why I don’t understand the go fund me.
RIP to this young man, who is one of the very few who decided to serve his country. I lowered my flag to half staff yesterday in honor of him.
G Gmp
July 4, 2024 at 5:22 am
I’m sorry but, before I lose my cool. This fine young man active duty serving our country and he needs a Go fund Me? This had better be a mistake and he should be having full military funeral with full benefits
EO
July 4, 2024 at 8:01 pm
Exactly. I used to assist families of fallen service members when I was on active duty. Did it the last 10 of my 20 years in service. So, I know all the entitlements families receive.
Tina
July 4, 2024 at 8:03 am
Praying for the family of an absolutely wonderful human being of a real true American . A wonderful man 🙏
Dan
July 4, 2024 at 8:33 am
I think the governor of MA should get her act together before starting a go fund me for someone
The military takes care of active duty people who die when on duty however once we get out is another story
Almost all veterans have to fight for everything we try to get and our state doesn’t help us like getting license plates that are called vanity plates and we have to pay extra for where other states get them for free
Ann
July 4, 2024 at 12:16 pm
You all are quick to say your pieces like if you have nothing nice to say keep your ugly thoughts to yourself. “You will never understand what another man is going through until you walk a mile in their shoe” just because you lost loved ones in the military doesn’t mean you have the same situations. Instead of asking questions to why the family needs the go fund me maybe you should be asking questions like how did he die? He was so young what’s the story behind his passing? That way you learn a thing or two
John M McHugh
July 4, 2024 at 2:24 pm
My friends son died while active duty with the USAF. The air force handel everything for that young man including a full service burial. They will do this for that young airman. RIP airman thank you for your service🙏🙏💔🇺🇲
Jill Salemno
July 4, 2024 at 8:58 pm
So many misinformed individuals here. I’m retired Active duty. Military members don’t automatically get life insurance. Members have to elect and PAY for coverage, just like any life insurance policy. Sincere condolences to this young airman’s family and friends.
Tavie
July 8, 2024 at 1:28 am
Pierre go and join the other American hero’s that have lost ther lives providing the blanket of freedom that keeps us all safer from the threats of our enemies. I spent 4 yrs on my cruise in the military and thankful I’ve made it home who cares about the go fund me. Your life cannot be replaced for any monetary value . 400,000 or 100,000 of service members grip life insurance is not enough . You will never see the future if you have children see them grow graduate or marry .Airman Pierre I than you for you sacrifice as well as the other men and women who wear this great American uniform and sacrificed there lives for things you have no control of. You are a patriot and a fallen hero in my book THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND MAY YOU REST WITH THE TRADITION OF AAL THE OTHER AMERICAN HEROS MEN AND WOMEN WHIT OR BROWN BLACK OR YELLOW. WE ARE ALL GREEN WHO DAWN THIS GREAT UNIFORM WE BLESSED TO WEAR
Patricia Odom
July 11, 2024 at 8:39 am
If you are on active duty and die, the military takes care of everything, including the burial.
Also, the insurance goes to the family.
There is no way a GoFundMe is needed.
It’s an insult to the military to think that the military would deny the family benefits.