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U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Peter Burks was so passionate about helping his fellow soldiers that he asked friends and family members to send things for them.
He was the envy of mail call, Burks' father said, and he was always looking out for soldiers who didn't have the support system that he had. He even sent his family a Christmas wish list of things for his comrades.
But in November 2007, the 26-year-old Texas A&M graduate was killed in Iraq when his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb.
Almost 17 months after his death, his legacy of selflessness and compassion lives on through his family and friends, who have sent four tons of care packages and school supplies to soldiers and Iraqi children since he died.
The Burks family has received more than $35,000 in donations to continue the mission. The family sent so much that Capt. Bryan Smith, the chaplain in Burks' unit, established the "Peter Burks Country Store" on Christmas Eve 2007.
"I feel like we're doing what Pete would want us to do," said Peter Burks' father, Alan Burks.
Last month, American Airlines offered the Burks family the opportunity to help fill a jumbo jet with things to send to Iraq.
Operation Iraqi Children, a charity founded by actor Gary Sinise, is partnering with the project.
"This is not something we drove. American Airlines is spearheading this, and they've asked for our help," said Burks' fianceé, Melissa Haddad. "I think that it's actually really awesome to see a big corporation backing something like this."
Alan Burks said he felt like it was Christmas morning when he got the call from American Airlines.
"We've just been ecstatic not to have to pay for shipping. It makes the money go a lot further," he said.
In the last month, Burks has filled his Celina home with school supplies, video games, snacks and soccer balls. He said that $3,000 had been donated so far and that more things were expected to arrive this weekend and early next week.
"We're just overwhelmed by the goodness of people that have donated already," Burks said.
On Wednesday, the plane will leave Dallas/Forth Worth International Airport for Iraq with hundreds of pounds of gifts for soldiers and children. Alan Burks and his son, Zac, will travel to Iraq on the plane and will stay for a week delivering the goods to bases.
"I hope we can fill the plane, and I think we will," Burks said.
Burks said it is important to reach out to the Iraqi people because they need to know that Americans want to help them rebuild their country. He said that community support of the troops is helpful.
"It will mean a lot to both the soldiers and the children," Burks said.
Haddad said the project would have meant a lot to her fiancé.
"Pete left the strongest legacy ever," Haddad said. "We'd have probably filled two planes if we could have. This is just one more way to keep him alive."
Burks graduated from Trinity Christian Academy in Addison and transferred to A&M his sophomore year to reunite with friends from high school. He was the president of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He was the son of Alan Burks and Jackie Merck and the stepson of Laura Burks. He had four younger siblings.
To donate to the Peter Burks Unsung Hero Fund, visit www.unsungherofund.org. Donations can be made through PayPal or sent directly to Texas State Bank in Celina.
