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Soldier Died In Honor Of God, Country

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By RONNIE BLAIR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 20, 2008

SAN ANTONIO - If Army Pfc. Norman "Ehren" Murburg III left a legacy for his family and friends to follow, his father says, it was this:

"Live your life, and make yourself better."

About 200 of those family members and friends, along with Murburg's fellow soldiers, gathered Thursday to pay their final respects to Murburg, who died more than a week ago in a training accident near Fort Bragg, N.C.

During a service at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, the 2005 Pasco High graduate was praised as a young man of integrity who wanted to serve his country and died doing something he believed in.

"I will tell stories about you to my children and grandchildren," his sister, Erica Murburg, said.

Murburg's father, Norman Murburg, said his son died "in the process and with the goal of becoming a better man."

In mourning his son, the father said he has tried to look for meaning in the loss of a young man with a sharp sense of humor and a strong sense of honor.

"I prefer to think the meaning it has is he loved us and the service to the point he was willing to and did give up his life," the elder Murburg said.

Army officials said Ehren Murburg, 20, didn't return from a 10-hour land-navigation test that ended at 1 a.m. June 9 in the Hoffman Training Area, about 50 miles west of Fort Bragg. About 475 soldiers searched for him until his body was found June 10.

Army officials said Murburg had water in two of his canteens and had used none of his emergency equipment.

All soldiers participating in the test carry more than 9 quarts of water and safety equipment, including a whistle, a strobe light and a reflective belt attached to their pack. Murburg did not activate his tracking device or use his flares, Maj. Sonny Leggett said.

During the test, soldiers are required to find several points in the pine forest that surrounds the base using only a map and a compass. The test is part of the Army's Special Forces Assessment and Selection training, the first step in becoming a Green Beret. Officials said Murburg located his first point but failed to find the remaining points or assembly areas.

The Rev. Henry Riffle, who officiated at Murburg's memorial service, said Thursday was a day to "recognize both God and country."

Murburg was one of those who said, "I will serve," Riffle said.

"When God offers us a challenge, there's no guarantee it's going to be easy," he said.

Murburg knew there were risks when he joined the military and "was willing to do it because of his own integrity," Riffle said.

Riffle noted that Murburg once said the only thing he was afraid of was Kryptonite, the fictional element that is lethal to Superman.

"Kryptonite comes in many forms and many ways," Riffle said.

Everyone, he said, is vulnerable to something.

"As God cares for us, we know we can endure anything and surpass even death," Riffle said.

Murburg's burial was at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

In addition to his father and sister, Murburg is survived by his mother, Karen Murburg, of Clearwater, and grandmothers Thelma Murburg and Dorothy Goldblatt.

Reporter Geoff Fox contributed to this report. Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at rblair@tampatrib.com or (813) 948-4218.

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