Img

PFC BUFFORD KENNETH VanSLYKE

  • Branch: Marines
  • Hometown/City: BAY CITY, MI
  • Date of Birth: 07-11-1984
  • Date of Death: 02-27-2007
  • Conflict: Operation Iraqi Freedom
  • Unit: B CO, 1ST BN, 24TH MAR, 4TH MAR DIV
  • Port/Base: SAGINAW, MI

Share Your Hero

Submit Profile Image

TRIBUTES

Honor your hero with thoughts, memories, images and stories.

  • Kenny will always be remembered as the "dare-devil" every parent cringes at when he was up to some trick.. Or the kid that wouldn't stop working until the job was done no matter how big it might be. His Love and ability to feel, see and touch those around him w/ his smile and "look", knowing you knew, he knew what you were feeling. He was and will always be a Blessing from GOD. He was sooooo proud of his "find" in Fallujah he called me via satilite... My gut sank when he told me what happened. Knowing what type of enemy we face I asked him not to call me again and to focus his free time on his new wife and child Kaiden. I explained these people have "watchers" and that he should keep his head down from here on. Now I/We wait until our Lord allows for us to meet again and I can tell him how Proud I am of him and what a wonderful time I had being his dad. The Memories I hold w/ him, no man can destroy nor take away. The Lord Blessed me w/ him and I will Honor his Life (as I do with his Brothers Daniel and Taylor) For they are all Blessings from our GOD. Till we meet again. Love Dad.

    Keith VanSlyke, Father
  • My memories of you are all I have, missing you always and forever.

    Cindy Fisher , Mother
  • Vanslyke

    Heading to the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins game. Spending time with an amazing group of people who are always there!

    Cindy Fisher , Mother
  • Kenny had this big goofy smile Alwthere even when he slept. When you had a bad day, He was one of those people that would make jokes or purposefully stumble, knocking his head into a tree trunk just to make you smile or laugh. Whatever heavy burden you were carrying, he made it disappear. Living with the Fishers was a challenge sometimes but Kenny kept it entertaining. He would pick up one of the dogs and make it dance while he hid his face behind it and made it sing like a ventriliquist dummy. I realized that dopey grin of his got him out of a lot of trouble. How could any parent keep a straight face while scolding him? It wasn't really fair to the rest of us. We would cause all kinds of trouble, (Danny, Kenny & I) breaking all the rules and when we'd all get punished Kenny would get early release while we had to endure the full punishment. He would rib us while we were hauling chopped wood from one end of the yard to the other and restacking it just to have to move it one more time. Bill always Gave creative punishments like digging a trench, Chopping wood, one time he made Danny eat cigarettes because he caught him smoking. Hard labor was more effective than any other punishments. Kenny would eventually help us of course but wouldn't let us forget that we were setting a bad example for him and the other kids when we snuck off to smoke ciggerettes in the woods. Tell us how Momma Cindy and Daddy Bill say we should know better than to corrupt him by dragging him along to participate in our shananigans.

    Stacy M Price, Foster Sister and Friend
  • Fb img 1456753711508

    Missing you!!!

    Cindy Fisher , Mother
  • "Tribute to Kenny" by Shelley Vinson https://m.youtube.com/results?q=tribute+to+kenny+shelley+vinson&sm=12

    Cindy Fisher , Mother
  • Kenny was our son Josh's best buddy growing up on Whidbey Island, WA. Will never forget that goofy smile and kind heart! Those two were like Dennis the Menace and Joey but were sweet, funny boys! Have such fond memories of them!

    Kim Vuchetich, Friend!
  • Even though I did not know you in this life Kenny, your mama has made sure we all know you now. Its been a difficult journey for your family since you've been gone, but I pray for them every day. You have a beautiful son Kenny. I know you would be so proud. Peace be with you brave soldier until you are reunited with your loved ones. Pam It Is The Soldier It is the Soldier, not the minister Who has given us freedom of religion. It is the Soldier, not the reporter Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the Soldier, not the poet Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer Who has given us freedom to protest. It is the Soldier, not the lawyer Who has given us the right to a fair trial. It is the Soldier, not the politician Who has given us the right to vote. It is the Soldier, who salutes and supports the flag And upon final rest, with the echoing of Taps, Completes his service to our great country under the flag.

    Pamela Sharp, Friend of the family
  • Kenny was or is my little brother we spent alot of time together growing up because we were 1 year apart in age he liked snowboarding and riding his bmx bike. Kenny is one of my 2 best friends and after he died it was as if his spirit became part of my life I have became obsessed with snowboarding and skateboarding, my middle son has his confidence in subjects he knows nothing about, my oldest son smirks when he is in trouble, my youngest is a daredevil, my dogs were even born on his birthday the year he died. Point is that unlike most people that after a Period of time you forget little by little, you will always be burned into memory as if you came over yesterday. Thank you for being my brother and I love you

    Danny VanSlyke, Brother