Fightin’ Texas Aggie Good Bull Blog

“No more convincing testimony could be given to the manner in which the men of Texas A&M lived up to the ideals and principles inculcated in their days on the campus than the simple statement that the Congressional Medal of Honor has been awarded to six former students, that 46 took part in the heroic defense of Bataan and Corregidor, and that nearly 700 are on the list of our battle dead.”

–Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1946

I recieved an update from Tracy in Wireless at TI tonight regarding Peter Burks’ team. As previously reported, Aggie and 2nd Lieutenant Peter Burks was recently killed in action in Baghdad. Before Pete’s death, Pete made a Christmas wish list of items he wanted for his unit (Palehorse). Well, stuff has started arriving!

Peter Burks’ fiancée Missy writes:

The packages have started arriving to Pete’s men, and they are so ecstatic! Notes from Leon Clayton are pasted below, and the attached pictures are described at the bottom of this email. The guys look so happy. Please forward this note along to anyone who has helped bring smiles to these guys! I know you guys spread the word to lots of people, and I want them to know how much they’re appreciated.

Also, Chaplain Smith let us know that they are setting up a country store on Camp Prosperity, called “Burks Country Store,” in memory of Pete. Besides food, they are putting in a section with Christian materials for the soldiers (Bibles, inspirational books, etc), and will also have some things to keep the soldiers entertained (games, etc). CPT Smith and his colleagues are rounding up posters of places in Texas and famous people/country singers from Texas to decorate the store with. Soldiers from the whole base and surrounding bases/FOBs will be able to come by and get whatever their hearts desire for free. That means that this effort is literally touching hundreds of soldiers, not just from Pete’s platoon, but all over the Green Zone area and into all of Iraq.

Thank you guys so much for shipping goodies to Pete’s men, asking about how everything is going and – most of all – for spreading Pete’s story. Again, I feel so blessed to have you not only as coworkers, but as friends.

In Pete’s memory,
Missy

Notes from SFC Leon Clayton, Thunder Platoon:

December 13:
Missy, Thank you for continuing to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I just received your email about receiving packages and did not receive any at that time. Tonight when I went up to the CP, I was staring at over 30 boxes from Pete’s friends and family. Thank you ever so much. I think they will help the guys out a lot. Especially at this time of the year for those who have never spent a Christmas away. We’ll take some pictures of the guys receiving them to email to you. That’s the least we can do to show our appreciation for your support. Thank you again. SFC Leon Clayton.

December 15:
Received another shipment of boxes today. You all have been more than generous. Thank you for all of your support. I visited the Love Life Foundation website and saw what they set up for Pete. It was a wonderful presentation. I have attached some pictures of us and the guys with the packages. I’ll send them one at a time so I can tell you who is in each picture. Feel free to show them to all who are helping you back at home. Once again, Thank you. SFC Leon Clayton

Thanks to all of the Aggies who help make this happen (especially Tracy in Wireless).

If you would like to contribute to Pete’s team in his memory, more information can be found at Pete’s Christmas Wish List Site.

Taking care of Peter Burks’ team is Good Bull.

Description of pictures:

Picture One:
Back row – SFC Clayton, PV2 Nelson, PFC Tijerina, SPC Martinez, SSG Cassidy
Front Row – SPC Bibbs (Medic), SGT Boekel, SPC Morgan, SPC Lucas

Picture Two:
SGT Boekel, SGT Cassidy

Picture Three:
PFC Tijerina opening boxes

Picture Four:
PV2 Nelson, SPC Bibbs, and SPC Morgan opening boxes