Photo By Chief Petty Officer Michael Kennedy | Staff Sgt. Glennie Burks, Jr., left, and Maj. Glennie Burks, Sr. enjoy some father-son...... read more read more
Burks and Burks—one's a major and the other, a staff sergeant—both serving their country in a combat zone in Iraq. The father and son pair is serving their second tour in Iraq.
The younger Burks, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Glennie Burks, Jr., has done 15 months this time around. He has been serving in the Army for seven years and has excelled since basic training in 2002 at Fort Sill, Okla. In 2003, Burks did his first deployment to Iraq and received a bronze star for valor. He trained as a Military police in 2008 and deployed again to Al-Kut, Iraq where he is currently. "He is my hero!" exclaimed the elder Burks when asked about his son's accomplishments. "He received a bronze star for valor for saving two Soldiers from a burning armored personnel carrier. Without regard for his own safety, he risked his life for the lives of his comrades. He is my hero," he repeated.
The elder Burks, U.S. Army Maj. Glennie Burks, Sr. enlisted in 1984, when his son was just a few months old. Burks is currently serving as a public affairs officer for the Multi-National Security Transition Command—Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq. His background is also Military Police and he has served in that capacity for over 13 years. The senior Burks' first tour was to Abu Grab, Iraq in 2004, where he also earned a bronze star. When asked about the similar paths he and his father have travelled in the military, Staff Sgt. Burks remarked, "My Dad's footsteps could never be trailed. He has done so much to mold me into the man I am today, but seeing myself endure some of the same encounters as him gives me a sense of pride, security, and the drive to become a good man for myself and my son."
Both Burks Soldiers will re-deploy to Texas when their tour is over. Maj. Burks is going back to Houston while the younger Burks will head back to Fort Hood, Texas.
| Date Taken: | 07.16.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 07.16.2009 03:20 |
| Story ID: | 36434 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 519 |
| Downloads: | 379 |
This work, Father and Son Together in Iraq, by SFC Patricia Ruth, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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