Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, March 3, for Staff Sgt. David Russell Berry, a member of Battery B (-), 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, Kansas National Guard, Pratt, who was killed in action in Iraq on Thursday, Feb. 22. Services will begin at 2 p.m. at West Baptist Freewill Church , 3310 W. MacArthur, Wichita . Graveside services will be at Eden Cemetery in Milton , Kan.

Staff Sgt. Berry’s posthumous promotion to Sergeant First Class is pending. A memorial fund is being set up in honor of Staff Sgt. Berry and more information regarding the fund will be published as soon as the fund is established.

Staff Sgt. Berry joined the Kansas Army National Guard in April 1986, enlisting with Detachment 1, Battery C, 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, at Kingman , Kan. , as an ammunition team chief. He graduated in 1987 from Advanced Individual Training as a Heavy Anti-armor Weapons Infantryman at Fort Benning , Ga. In 1997, he completed the Primary Leadership Development Course at Camp Ashland , Neb. In 2001, Staff Sgt. Berry completed his Basic Non-Commissioned Officer course for Field Artillery. In 2003, he completed the Multiple Launch Rocket System Crewmember course.

Staff Sgt. Berry had a total of more than 16 years of military service. In February 2005, he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal, which is the highest peacetime honor that a soldier can receive. Staff Sgt. Berry was serving on active duty at Fort Leavenworth during Operation Enduring Freedom. While at home on leave he came upon a single vehicle accident in Kingman County . The driver had lost control of the vehicle and crashed off the highway and the vehicle was on fire. At great personal risk, Staff Sgt. Berry pulled the driver from the burning vehicle, saving his life. Maj. Gen. Bunting presented Staff Sgt. Berry with this medal while at his pre-mobilization station at Camp Shelby , Miss. , prior to his deployment to Iraq .

Staff Sgt. Berry’s other awards include the Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Kansas National Guard Meritorious Service Ribbon, Kansas National Guard Commendation Ribbon, Kansas National Guard Emergency Duty Service Ribbon and the Kansas National Guard Service Medal.

Staff Sgt. Berry is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and one stepdaughter and one stepson.

If any of our readers are planning to attend, do please report out.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.