Soldier donates war flag to Swampscott Police

SWAMPSCOTT – A flag that flew on a F-15 fighter on a combat mission over Afghanistan is being given to the Swampscott Police Association during roll call on Saturday.Master Sgt. Patrick Burke, who lives in town with his wife and four children, said he wants to thank the police officers in town for all they do to support the troops.Burke, a 1985 graduate of Lynn English High, is a member of the United States Air Force Reserves and has been deployed to the Middle East several times.?Last Christmas when I was in Afghanistan the police sent me a big package,” he said. “It was enough to share with everyone in my unit and it just meant so much to me. I wanted to say thank you and remind everyone how important it is to remember the troops still serving.”Burke said he will be giving the union the flag at the 3:30 p.m. role call on Saturday.?The flag was flown on a F-15 fighter over Afghanistan,” Burke said. “We were delivering two 500-pound bombs and 200 40-millimeter rounds on that mission. I wasn’t flying that mission. I’m not a pilot.”While in Afghanistan, Burke worked in airfield operations.?We handled incoming air traffic,” he said. “We assembled a team and unloaded the aircraft. At times we were doing it under fire because bases are a high priority target for the enemy. Typically the pilot won’t even shut off the engines. They want to get in and get out.”Burke, who works as a material planner at General Electric in Lynn, said packages from home are important to the troops and he urged everyone to consider donating.?I received a lot of care packages from the schools, General Electric employees and friends,” he said. ” ? One of (Swampscott Police) Lt. Paul Bartam’s children made me a little trinket that was made at Plaster Fun Time in the care package. It meant so much. But there are some guys who don’t get mail or anything from home.”Veterans Agent James Schultz, who is also a police detective, said Burke is a remarkable human being.?What Patrick is doing is incredible,” he said. “We were just trying to send him a package to make his life easier and his concern is making sure the Swampscott Police Association gets acknowledged.”When local troops were first being deployed to the Middle East, the Swampscott Police Association started sending packages to Burke and others.Since that time, the Swampscott Rotary Club and Swampscott VFW have been coordinating the care packages that will be sent to local troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.Swampscott Rotary member William DiMento said the club shipped 15 large packages to troops serving in the Middle East on Monday and it hopes to send more packages in the near future.DiMento said baby wipes, Gold Bond Foot Powder, batteries, Band-Aids, aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen and eye drops are in much demand. Other items frequently requested by the troops include Chap-Stick, playing cards, crossword puzzle books, trail mix and nuts.Anyone who would like to donate items should drop them off at the VFW, 8 Pine St. or at the DiMento Law Office, 25 Pitman Road.