1st Lt. Dustin Shumney

Benicians honor fallen Marine
Co-workers organize barbecue to aid family
By BRAD KVEDERIS
Times-Herald staff writer

Sunday, February 20, 2005 - BENICIA - Gloomy skies and sporadic rain showers weren't enough to get in the way of a barbecue held Saturday in honor of Marine 1st Lt. Dustin Shumney, a Benicia High graduate who was among 31 servicemen killed in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash in Iraq.

The event, organized by Raley's of Benicia, drew hundreds of people who bought hamburgers, hot dogs and tri-tip sandwiches to benefit the fallen Marine's family. About $2,000 had been raised for the family's trust fund as of 3 p.m., through both food sales and donations left in jars, co-organizer Lucia Rodriguez said.

Deborah Weaver of Benicia, whose sister went to school with Shumney, said she showed up at the barbecue as a token of gratitude for the sacrifice the young soldier made.

"Because he didn't hesitate to help his country, I won't hesitate to help his family. It's the least we can do," Weaver said. "I just know that he was a brave young man who gave everything for his country. And for that, I love him, and I'll honor his memory any way that I can."

Elena Almazan, a part-time employee at Raley's, had already worked a shift that began at 5 a.m., but made it back to the store for the event. It made her happy, she said, to see the number of people who came out to support Shumney's family.

"I'm touched," Almazan said. "When I got here and I saw all these people, I said, My God, I can't believe these people come together for this guy they don't even know.' "

For Jason Diavatis, a local DJ who volunteered his time and equipment to provide music for the event, Saturday's fund-raiser proved that the community cared about the loss of one of its own. Diavatis grew up in the same neighborhood as Shumney, and although the two hadn't been in close contact lately, the Marine's death showed the real effects of a war half a world away.

"It's really surprising - it really brings the war home," Diavatis said of his initial reaction when he learned of his former classmate's death. "You hear about things happening all the time, you hear about soldiers dying over there - all kinds of people dying over there - all the time. And you feel bad, but then it's somebody that you know, that you grew up with, and it touches you in a whole different way."

Diavatis said his biggest concern is for the welfare of Shumney's family - but he finds some consolation in the fact that the Marine's two children will know their father died for what he believed in.

"That's what really makes me sad, is when you think about the family; his kids are going to grow up without him. But at least they can know that he was a great man - he died for his country," Diavatis said. "If there's any honor in death, that's about the most honor you could possibly get. ... I mean, he wasn't there because he was told to be there - he joined full-time after 9/11. That's something he believed in."