Deep Dive Memorial 5K Aug. 21 at Flora-Bama

Deep Dive Memorial 5K Aug. 21 at Flora-Bama

The Flora-Bama will host the Deep Dive 2021 Memorial 5K for WO1 John Michael Wirka Jr. on Aug. 21 beginning at 9 a.m. Wirka passed away due to a non-combat-related event in San Salvador in 2020. He is survived by his wife, Erica Anne Wirka, daughter, Audrey Mae Wirka, and their dog, Archer.
The 5K begins and ends on the beach at the Flora-Bama, and the entire run will take place on the Florida side of the state line. Registration is now open and includes a t-shirt, raffle ticket and food and drink tickets for the post-race buffet at Flora-Bama. Virtual runners are also welcome to enter the event and register for the post-race auction. Register at combatdiver.itsyourrace.com or on race day.
Wirka graduated from FSU with a degree in mechanical engineering and worked briefly in the engineering field before seeking a higher purpose by enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2010 and gravitating to U.S. Army Special Forces. Sgt. Wirka was assigned to Eglin Air Force Base as a member of Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha and deployed multiple times to Afghanistanin, including as a SFC in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
A friend described him as “quiet, but when he spoke, he spoke with intention. As a dive instructor, he always brightened the students’ moods when times were hard. John was the epitome of what a Green Beret should be; hardworking, intelligent, humble, funny, kind, and dedicated. He was one of the few people that even when everything was going wrong, he found the positive side and would make a joke to keep the guys going.”