On December 13, 2005, an armored vehicle that contained four soldiers was destroyed by an improvised explosive device in the line of duty in Iraq. Among the soldiers was Peter Navarro, a member of Lafayette’s Class of 2003.To honor his memory, the Ballwin Post Office will be dedicated to his memory on April 19, and a barbecue will be held in his name on April 20.
The Peter Navarro BBQ was created as the legacy project for the class of 2012, and raised $6,000 in its first year. This money was then split and given to three high schools in the Rockwood district to found scholarship funds in the names of students from those schools who died in the military. These schools where Rockwood Summit, Eureka and Lafayette.
“This year, we are doing the same thing, except for an organization called Camp Hope,” Col. Mike Bernec said.
Christopher Neal White was a soldier who died in Iraq in 2006, and the money that his family was given was spent to purchase a 170 acre farm in Farmington, which the family would turn into Camp Hope, a camp made for wounded veterans.
“It’s where service members can go to just air it out. whether they have a physical or an emotional issue with war, and just go fishing or camping or hunting, whatever they want, free of charge,” Berenc said.
Food for the event is being donated by the American Legion Post 556, Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ, Dierbergs and Ronnoco Coffee, along with a vintage car show for entertainment.
