106th Rescue Wing Member Killed In Action To Be Honored During Inaugural Family Fun Day And BBQ Contest

This autumn, the East End community is coming together to honor the life of Tsgt. Dashan J. Briggs, a member of the Westhampton Beach-based Air National Guard 106th Rescue Wing who was killed in action on March 15, 2018 while serving in Iraq. The 30-year-old is survived by his wife and two children, both of whom are under the age of 3.

Briggs was born and raised in Riverhead. He graduated from Riverhead High School in 2007 where he was a football and lacrosse star.

“Known for his contagious laugh, sharp sense of humor, and strong sense of family, Dashan loved to BBQ and smoke meats, watch football, drive his pickup truck, listen to music, and spend time with his friends and family, especially his wife Rebecca, and children Jayden and Ava,” noted Tara Karen, Dashan’s sister-in-law. “His family, friends, and community miss him terribly, but know that he would want us to celebrate his life and everything he loves!”

To that end, Karen is among a group of loved ones spearheading an event that will focus on some of Briggs’ favorite things: family, friends, BBQing, and music. “So, on September 23, 2018 we will be hosting the 1st annual Tsgt. Dashan J. Briggs Family Fun Day and BBQ contest,” Karen shared. “We will have a BBQ spread and brisket contest cooked by local restaurants and stores, the great band Mystery Play, a DJ, tons of games and activities for kids!”

The 1st annual Tsgt. Dashan J. Briggs Family Fun Day and BBQ contest will take place from 12 to 5 p.m. at Stotzky Park (Columbus Avenue, Riverhead).

“There will be a suggested donation at the door, along with raffles, that will be donated to his children,” Karen added. “Mostly, we want a day for the community he loved, his family, and friends to remember him the way he would have liked us to, and to celebrate the man we all loved and miss every day!”

There is a suggested donation of $25 to attend, and a $20 fee for sampling the BBQ brisket contest, which also includes a vote in deciding top honors.

Additionally, the 1st Annual Dashan J. Briggs Golf Outing will take place at The Vineyards Golf Club (9 Tyler Drive, Riverhead) on Friday, October 12. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with a 12 p.m. Scramble Start. A cocktail hour and dinner will follow. The event will also include the chance to win a trip for two to the 2019 US Open practice rounds at Pebble Beach or a two year lease on a 2018 Ford F150 XLT through the Hole-In-One Par 3 Challenge.

The entry fee is $250 per golfer, $1000 per foursome, or $75 dinner only, and pre-registration is required.

For more information about the 1st annual Tsgt. Dashan J. Briggs Family Fun Day and BBQ contest, visit www.facebook.com, www.eventbrite.com or email Tara Karen at [email protected]. For more information about the 1st Annual Dashan J. Briggs Golf Outing, visit www.facebook.com. For those unable to attend, there’s a GoFundMe page set up for the family. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com.