SPC Taylor Burk

Angelina was close to giving birth to our 3rd child, Sierra Rain Martinez in August of 2003.  I was at NTC in California for a month+ conducting maneuvers in preparation for our deployment to Iraq in 2004.  1/8 CAV allowed me to leave immediately back to Fort Hood in anticipation of Sierra's birth.  My first day back at the unit there was this goofy looking kid standing outside my office, along side a few new faces.  New Combat Medics.  A gift from HRC to ensure I had enough Warriors Medics on the battlefield.  The goofy kid was Taylor Burk.  A Texan from Amarillo.  He had me in stitches.  Once I caught my breath I called Burk a "carney".  Carney is a term used to call a goofy person a carnival attraction.  Harmless.  Burk quickly responded "sir, my dad is a carney".  "Ok, troop, your dad is a carney". 

During a routine combat patrol in Iraq 2004, Burk's convoy came under fire.  Our hummers were outfitted with steel plates.  Unfortunately Burk was in the back of a cargo hummer.  No protection from overhead.  One of the Soldiers received a gunshot wound for which Burk went to work.  Unknown to Burk, he was also shot in the foot by a tracer round.  Once they moved out of the kill zone, Burk treated his wound.  He had the golden wound.  Burk was flown back to the states.  The picture above is Burk receiving his first Bronze Star with V device for valor for his actions that evening.  Seven months went by, I moved to the Medical Company and life on FOB Falcon continued.  One day in November or December, there was a knock at my door.  Low and behold, it was Burk.  He had literally just jumped off the truck.  He was back.  I can still see his face and hear his words "sir, you were the first person I wanted to see when I returned".  No shit.  This young man from Amarillo wanted to see me.  See me first.  We talked for a long time.  Burk was a young 'en.  We'd make jokes about his.....um....lack of ways with the ladies.  Not this time, Burk meet a girl while back home getting fixed up.  He was so happy.  I was happy.  We couldn't stop laughing. 
Burk was killed by an IED strike on February 3, 2005.  The boys on the ground said he was still cracking jokes when getting on the bird despite the noise.  When the unit returned to Fort Hood, I had the honor, the privilege to escort his mom and dad (step-dad, Burk called him dad) to a ceremony for our fallen brothers.  You know what?  Burk's dad wore his Top-Hat.  He was in the carnival.
Tomorrow is for you Burk.  All 29 miles.  I'm gonna laugh my ass off the entire way.  For you brother.