A Tribute to A Fallen Hero - Armer N. Burkart

Specialist Armer N. Burkart













Specialist Armer N. Burkart, 26, of Rockville, Maryland, died of injuries sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, on May 11, 2006, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat patrol operations. Burkart was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

He served two tours while in the Army, the first one in Afghanistan before going to Iraq, where he was killed by a bomb. Specialist Burkart was a gunner in the turret of a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle. He knew that it was dangerous to be stationed in Iraq, but he felt that serving his country far outweighed the risks. He was proud to be there.

Armer's father said that he attended Colonel Zadok Magruder High School, where he plaid the saxophone with the marching band. He also attended Lehigh University in Pennsylvania on an ROTC scholarship, and dropped out to enlist. He joined the Army in July 2000 following his family's example of military service -- both his late grandfathers were retired Navy captains.

Specialist Burkart, we thank you for the heroic and selfless sacrifice you gave for your country. We appreciate it, and you will never be forgotten. I pray God's blessings on your family.

Specialist Armer N. Burkart was burried in Arlington National Cemetery.

"Where Valor Proudly Sleeps."