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<p><em>Kimberly Anne (Taft) Bursack</em> was relentless, bold, beautiful, and brilliant—a powerhouse. Kim had a huge heart and was extremely kind and generous to those around her. While fiercely determined, strong, and highly competitive, she also wouldn’t hesitate to be silly if the situation called for that. Her firstie photo’s caption said it best: “One word describes Kim—character; she has a lot and is one too.”</p>
<p>Kim was born on May 31, 1976 in Mineola, NY. The second oldest of five children born to Raymond and Francene Taft, Kim was a mischievous child who frequently pranked her siblings. In 1994, Kim graduated from Dickinson High School at the top of her class and as a cross-country star. After graduation, she attended the USMA Prep School at Fort Monmouth, NJ. One year later, she received admission to the West Point Class of 1999. </p>
<p>At West Point, Kim, a member of companies F-4 and F-3, competed on both the Cross-Country and Indoor Track teams. When Kim wasn’t studying, she was out running. She was a ferocious competitor who finished second overall for physical fitness in her class. Always challenging herself to be better than before, Kim ran the IOCT for fun as a firstie. True to her nature, Kim volunteered for both Airborne and Air Assault schools during her summer breaks and, of course, graduated from both. </p>
<p>Classmate Lorna Case shared one of many stories of Kim’s grit while at West Point. Lorna remembers Kim in remedial swimming class, aka “plebe drowning”: “Our instructor made Kim jump into the pool with BDUs, boots, ballistic helmet, load-carrying equipment, and ruck, and she just sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there. Five seconds…10 seconds…15 seconds, and we’re all wondering if he was just gonna let her drown. Finally, after about 25 seconds, the instructor got the hook and rescued her. But, in true Kim fashion, she learned to swim and would later enjoy water sports whilst living in Hawaii after graduation.”</p>
<p>Classmate Raneé Rubio referred to Kim as “small in stature, giant in spirit.” During Kim’s second summer, Raneé explained that she was immediately struck by Kim’s quiet strength and unwavering confidence: “As a fellow member of the ‘vertically challenged’ club, I was in absolute awe of her. She could outrun half the guys and crank out push-ups and sit-ups like she was competing in her own private fitness Olympics, somehow making it all look effortless. I watched as she earned leadership positions and was always proud of her accomplishments.”</p>
<p>After graduation, Kim was commissioned as a Military Intelligence officer, attended the MI Officer Basic Course at Fort Huachuca, AZ, and was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii. Kim was a great officer, the kind of leader soldiers want to serve under. As a junior officer, she was selected for a prestigious joint assignment with the 7th Fleet flagship. Over the next 20 years, she continued to serve in a range of national security roles across the Pacific, always driven by purpose, duty, and love of country.</p>
<p>After Kim left the Army, she was accepted to Georgetown Law School. While pursuing her degree, Kim worked full time and volunteered as an unpaid intern. Her passion for advocating on behalf of others was especially evident in her work with the Office of Disability Rights. During her time in DC, Kim also made time to catch up with friends and to strengthen the bonds forged at the Academy. Lorna shared: “We were lucky to end up in the DC area. Our late 20s and early 30s felt like a second chance at the college experience, because West Point, as you know, is more like a prison for smart kids. This time around, we had jobs and money, so we could enjoy it. We used to go to West Point happy hours around Crystal and Pentagon City all the time.”</p>
<p>Kim was adventurous; one could envision the adventures she loved just by stepping into her garage—surfboards, bicycles, skateboards, hiking shoes—each with its own stories. She would continue to compete in marathons, paddling races, and cycling adventures. </p>
<p>Kim was always there for her friends, ensuring they felt supported and had a great time. Her zest for life shone through in everything she did. She had a remarkable talent for giving the perfect gift, each one thoughtful, creative, and deeply personal. For a time, Kim opened a small online shop selling her own handmade jewelry. The jewelry she made wasn't just beautiful; each piece reflected not only her care and love but was also a little part of her.</p>
<p>Kim deeply loved her daughter, Katherine (her “mini-Kim”). From the moment Katherine entered the world, Kim’s life expanded, and everything began to revolve around her little girl. She filled Katherine’s life with unforgettable experiences, meaningful memories, and constant encouragement to reach for greatness. Kim made sure the calm, grounding spirit of the islands was a part of her daughter’s life, where the ocean felt like their second home and hula became part of Katherine’s identity. Kim’s love for her daughter was boundless and will live on forever, as Kim will live on through Katherine.</p>
<p>Kim is forever in our hearts, and we will cherish our memories of her forever. “With Duty in Mind.” Be Thou at Peace.</p>
<p><em>— Friends from the Class of 1999</em></p>
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