Dallas soldier dies in Iraq
10:07 PM CST on Monday, November 19, 2007

Associated Press
DALLAS - A Dallas soldier killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq is being remembered as a dedicated team player who felt the call to serve.
Army 2nd Lt. Peter H. Burks, 26, died Wednesday when his vehicle was hit just outside the Green Zone in Baghdad. The Department of Defense released Burks' name Monday. He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.
Alan Burks of Celina said he wasn't surprised that his son's last actions involved checking on the five men with him.
"He told me, over and over and over again, he said: 'Dad, my job is to get my 17 guys home safe. ... Then after that I'll get myself home safe,' " Burks said.
Peter Burks moved with his family to Dallas in 1987 and graduated from Trinity Christian Academy in Addison and Texas A&M University. He worked in marketing for the Dallas Desperados and FC Dallas.
"He's as good as they come," his father said.
Alan Burks said his son had long talked about military service.
"He felt the call to serve. He'd tried corporate life and he just said, 'I have to go do this Dad. This is what I've got to do.'"
He joined the Army in 2006 and went to officer candidate school. He was deployed to Iraq about three months ago.
Besides his father, he is survived by his mother, Jackie Merck, of McKinney; his fiance; three sisters; a brother; a grandmother and a grandfather.

 

Direct Ship Mailing Address:
CPT Bryan Smith
P Troop, 4/2 SCR
Camp Prosperity, APO - AE 09348


Solider's Wish List collected by Pete
double stuffed oreos / double stuff chocolate oreos
chocolate chip cookies
snack packs
blue gatorade powder
microwavable popcorn
pretzels
beef jerky
lollipops
poptarts with frosting
honey buns
hot cheetos / hot fries
fudge cookies
xbox 360 controllers
good shaving cream (Aveeno, etc.) / after shave cream
tooth brushes
pens
baby wipes
UNO cards / deck of playing cards
magazines to read (Sports Illustrated, ESPN, National Geographic, etc.)
Q-tips
deodorant