CLEBURNE, TX, US
U.S. Army
SSG, CO C, 2ND BN, 327TH INF RGT, 1ST BDE COMBAT TEAM, FORT CAMPBELL, KY
03/29/2011, BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN
Staff Sergeant Burgess was a 1999 graduate of Cleburne High School where he excelled as an athlete in soccer, baseball and football, and ran track. Burgess’ “senior brags” in the CHS yearbook include JV and varsity soccer, freshmen baseball and football, track and four years in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Before enlisting, Staff Sergeant Burgess completed one year at Hill College. “He didn’t talk about the military until the end of his senior year,” Mrs. Pearce said. “He was in his ninth year of service and had planned to make it a career.” The Cleburne, Texas, native deployed twice to Iraq and had about 26 days remaining on his deployment to Afghanistan.
“He was a sweet guy,” explained friend Hillary Cochran. “He always had a smile on his face. He was always friendly- just a great kid.”
Staff Sergeant Burgess was also an active member of Granbury Street Church of Christ. Burgess’ last visit home was in September. A meal at Whataburger, his favorite spot, according to his mother, was on his “to do” list. The family also gathered together for a barbecue.
“Bryan always talked about being in Cleburne in time to make his 10 year class reunion,” Mrs. Pearce explained. “But he was always traveling. I told him he was where he was supposed to be, doing the right thing for his country.”
Soldiers held a memorial service for six fallen U.S. Soldiers from Task Force No Slack at Forward Operating Base Joyce in eastern Afghanistan April 9th.
Task Force No Slack Commander, U.S. Army LT. Col. Joel B. Vowell spoke about each of the men who were killed. Of Staff Sergeant Burgess he explained that Burgess was an immediate impact player who could shoot, move and communicate with the best of them.
Burgess, an infantry squad leader, is survived by his wife, Tiffany, a daughter, and a son. Bryan is best remembered by his friend, U.S. Army Sergeant Tyler Schmidt.
“He had a Superman tattoo on his right arm,” said Sergeant Schmidt. “It was fitting because he was strong.”
Schmidt said Burgess would do anything for his fellow Soldiers even if that meant sacrificing his time and energy. But Burgess had a way of replenishing his always present energy. I believed that the ‘Sesame Street’ character Cookie Monster was based off of him. He loved cookies,” said Schmidt. “No cookies were safe, even if a cookie was on the way to your mouth, he’d take it. Even First sergeant cookies weren’t safe.”
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