KUNA -- Boise fallen soldier John Borbonus would have turned 28 years old today.
For the ninth year, the John Borbonus Memorial Golf Tournament kicked off with the Boise Police Honor Guard salute and tribute to a young man who died protecting his base in Bagdad on April 12, 2007.
An act of heroism that resulted in a Silver Star given to his family during the first memorial event.
"Honoring John's memory is very important to our family, it's just, we miss him," said Veronique Borbonus, John's cousin.
The tournament held at Falcon Crest golf course in Kuna benefits the Idaho Veterans Assistance League Brave Hearts program.
That program is set up to help vets and their families who are struggling to make ends meet.
In the nine years of this event , the John Borbonus Memorial has donated nearly $60,000 to the fund.
