WFAA-TV

A fallen soldier from Celina, who was known to be there for his fellow soldiers, is still helping others from beyond his grave.

2nd Lt. Peter Burks died last Wednesday after a roadside bomb went off in Baghdad. However, friends and family are working hard to make sure his wishes he made in a Christmas list he wrote before his death come true.

Peter asked for simple items such as playing cards, shaving cream and tooth brushes, but they weren't for him. Instead, Peter wanted his desired items to go to fellow troop members.

"Hey, there are guys in my troop here who don't have the support network that I do," Burks wrote to his father, Alan Burks, in an e-mail.

Now, Mr. Burks is working to get those items to the troop.

"I miss my buddy," he said of Peter, who had recently become engaged to Melissa Haddad.

"My heart's been broken, but it's broken most for her," Mr. Burks said.

Haddad, who wears Peter's dog tag around her neck, said she got her last letter Peter had written her Monday.

"Every sunset, every sunrise was clearer because I was with him," Haddad said. "...You're picking out a dress one day and planning a funeral the next day. It's crazy."

But now, Mr. Burks said he and others are trying to pick up where Peter left off and move on with his wishes and strength in mind.

"The guys over there who were wounded were back in the vehicle the next day," he said. "So, if they can do it, I've got to do it."

Mr. Burks said his son died doing what he loved, serving his country.

"He had a servant's heart and a warrior's mind and body," he said.

Peter was also known to reach out to strangers. Now, people Peter didn't know are reaching out to fulfill his final wish in the form of prayers and boxes of well wishes for his troop.

"I have a favorite Bible verse that says, 'To whom much is given, much will be required,'" Mr. Burks said. "And I think that's how we feel right now. We've been given a lot. We were given a lot by having Pete; and now he's given us a charge to take care of his guys, and we're going to do that."

To send to Peter’s troop, a drop-off spot is located at a downtown McKinney women’s clothing store called Bling.

Items can also be shipped directly to:
CH (CDT) Bryan Smith
4/2 SCR Camp Prosperity
APO – AE 09348

For those sending items directly, a customs form must be filled out, which can be done at any post office.

A fund has also been set up in Peter's name:
Peter Burks' Unsung Hero Fund
Texas Star Bank

P.O. Box 1600
Celina, TX 75009