LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN AmeriTroop Support Organization, Inc. was started by a University of Georgia student during his senior year in 2007.
Committed to supporting America's fight for global peace and the abolition of radical Islamic terrorism and tyranny, James
Burrell realized that he was best suited to aid the cause by helping raise money supporting the American military's servicemen
and women. After serving for two years as the philanthropy chairman for the Sigma Phi Epsilon social fraternity at UGA,
he started AmeriTroop Support Organization, Inc. with the hopes of gaining more credibility with the community, something
fraternities often fail to achieve. For our 2008 event, we hope to raise in excess of $40,000, which will be used to send
various types of care-packages to our armed forces.
History
In 2004, the brothers of the Sigma Phi Epsilon
fraternity at the University of Georgia suffered a heartbreaking loss. On November 19, 2004, Lance Corporal Bradley
Thomas Arms died as result of coming under sniper fire in the city of Fallujah, Iraq. Personal accounts of the
incident that surfaced months following his death supported the belief that many who knew Brad maintained from the
time the knowledge of his death reached Athens, GA, that he died sacrificing himself so that he could save another.
Brad had always stood out as a young man who exemplified high moral character, leadership, and strong
faith. As a part of his pledge class in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, he quickly earned the dubious nickname,
Dad Arms. The purpose of his name was twofold; he won the name not just for being older than most of his pledge
brothers, but because he was often the most mature and self-sacrificing man in the group, much the way a father
is to his family. To his brothers, he embodied what they sought to achieve: a man of balance in all aspects
of life. Brad was affiliated with various campus organizations; he excelled in the classroom as diligent student,
and he was an exceptional athlete - especially at soccer. His strength came from his conviction in God, Brad was
an upstanding Christian who believed it was through God's calling that led him to serve his country in the war on terror.
Following September
11, 2001, Brad understood the harsh reality of what was going to be demanded of him when he joined the Marines,
but instead of being deterred by the dangers of war, he saw it as an opportunity for him to spread peace and the message of
God to regions of the world suppressed by ruthless dictatorships and oppressive radical beliefs. From the stories
told by those who served alongside Brad, we learned that his leadership ability was not limited to halls of a fraternity
house. Raised to be a man of virtue, who practiced diligence in all endeavors, his strong character once again revealed
itself through his various military duties. Through his compassion and devotion to others, he was quick to earn the
respect of both the Marines who he commanded and of those that were his superiors.
The sum of a man’s actions makes
the man, and that is why it is through having known who Brad was that made learning of his death so hard. He was a
young man who graced all those who knew him. He was a man who made his friends, his family, and his country proud. He
did not shy away from responsibility, instead sought out more than many his own age. To understand the potential man
he could have become underscores the honor in the way he died. Brad died leaving safe cover to aide fellow Marines who had
come under fire a short distance away, giving himself so that others could march on. This country truly owes a debt of gratitude
for the sacrifice of Brad Arms, and this world will sorely miss him in years to come.
