Staff Sgt. Scott Burgess, a native to Franklin, TX, began his career in the U.S. Army in October 2002 and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He had previously deployed to Iraq and at age 32 was known to his unit as "old man." Staff Sgt. Scott H. Burgess along with Staff Sgt. Michael S. Lammerts were assigned to security detail for a meeting between the U.S. commanders and the Afghan border.  On April 4, 2011 an Afghan police officer opened fire, deliberately killing them in a northern Faryab province in Afghanistan. Left behind was Scott’s wife Jennifer and two daughters, Haley and Amy.

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Scott loved his country and was passionate for the red, white, and blue. He is remembered by his fellow soldiers as an exceptional leader and family mentor. PFC Jared Weeks recalls how Burgess guided him during his first days as a soldier in Baumholder, Germany - where they were newly stationed just a few months before deployment to Afghanistan. “As a brand new soldier, he could see that I was scared and nervous,” Weeks wrote in Scott’s eulogy. “He came up to me and said, ‘Hey hero, it seems like you need some help.’” PFC Weeks would eventually become part of Burgess’ squad. In addition to showing him the ropes as a new soldier, Weeks said Burgess taught him how to be a good father and husband. “After a long day of work, he told me to go home and make sure to give my wife and daughter a kiss, and tell them that I loved them,” Weeks said.

 

You can read more about his story here: SSG Burgess Killed in Afghanistan