H.R. No. 2773
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The friends and family of United States Army
Specialist Donald Allen Burkett of Comanche suffered an
immeasurable loss with the death of this valiant soldier on March
10, 2008, at the age of 24, while serving his country in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, A proud member of the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored
Cavalry Regiment, based at Fort Hood, Specialist Burkett was killed
when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in Balad Ruz;
and
WHEREAS, "Wesley" Burkett was born in Brownwood on January
27, 1984; he attended Zephyr High School, where he participated in
UIL academic competition, and went on to Ranger Junior College; he
married the former Brandi Peel on December 18, 2005, and joined the
army in April 2006 as an armor crewman; this devoted family man
bought a house in Killeen for his wife and their son and spent as
much time as possible with them before his deployment to Iraq in
November 2007; and
WHEREAS, Known for his positive attitude, quiet
intelligence, and endearing smile, Specialist Burkett was deeply
committed to providing a good life for his family, and was looking
forward to furthering his education in order to advance in his
military career; he was a member of the VFW Killeen Chapter and
received a number of decorations, including the National Defense
Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Army Service
Medal, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart; and
WHEREAS, Our state and nation are fortunate to have young men
and women whose love of country leads them to military duty, and the
passage of time can never diminish the profound debt that Americans
owe to Wesley Burkett for the service he undertook and the sacrifice
he rendered; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Specialist Donald
Allen Burkett and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his
family: to his wife, Brandi Burkett; to his son, Mason Burkett; to
his mother, Carolyn Gray; to his brothers, Jayson Brown and Wayne
Burkett; to his grandmother, Linnie Faye Gray; to his
mother-in-law, Amy Bailey; and to his other relatives and friends;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Wesley
Burkett.
Miller of Erath
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 2773 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on May 27, 2009.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House