After graduating from Shirley High School in 1996, SSgt. Peters entered the Air Force where he attended technical training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and graduated as a vehicle operator journeyman. He completed assignments at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and Anderson Air Force Base in Guam. 

SSgt. Peters arrived to Little Rock Air Force Base in 2000. After returning from Iraq in July of 2003, he volunteered to return to Iraq for a second tour of duty to serve with a young group of soldiers, most of whom had never been to combat. His sole purpose in returning to Iraq was to protect this group of soldiers. One friend of SSgt. Peters remembers fondly, ``Peters was respected and loved by fellow airmen. They admired this young staff sergeant. He knew his job very, very well.'' 

SSgt. Peter's exemplary service did not go unnoticed; his military decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster and with Valor, and an Air Force Achievement Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster. 

Sgt. Peters gave his life to serve our country and will forever be remembered as a husband, father, son, and hero. My deepest condolences go out to his wife, Heather, their son, Dalton, his mother, Linda Bennings, and his father, Dennis Peters. I know SSgt. Peters was proud of his service to the U.S. Army and to our country. He will be missed by his family, fellow soldiers, and all those who knew him well.