At the Eugene Burks Jr. Leather Shop, one can find the namesake not only on the sign but working inside the shop. Burks was first assigned to The Old Guard in 1981. Burks held many positions in the 15 years he was assigned to the Caisson including saddler, stable manager, and finally as the platoon sergeant. After retiring from the Army in 1996, Burks was brought back as a civilian employee the following year to perform the same role he held as a Solider. For 35 years, Burks has manufactured and maintained the 1916 horse tack. Horse tack is defined as pieces of equipment or accessories equipped on horses. Saddles, bridles, stirrups, reins, harnesses, and breastplates are examples of horse tack. “We outfit all the horses, all their harnesses, tack, inventory, tack maintenance, or teach how to do the tack maintenance and how to do the proper adjustments for the tack every morning before they go out into the cemetery,” said Burks. “We also handle all of the logistics and supplies needed for us to function.” Burk’s leather shop orders all of the hay, shavings, grain, and handles all of the contracts for the Caisson Platoon.

[igp-video src=”” poster=”https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/at-the-eugene-burks-jr.-leather-shop-one-can-find-the-namesake-not-only-on-the-sign-but-working-insi-1.jpg” size=”large”]At the Eugene Burks Jr. Leather Shop, one can find the namesake not only on the sign but working inside the shop. Burks was first assigned to The Old Guard in 1981. Burks held many positions in the 15 years he was assigned to the Caisson including saddler, stable manager, and finally as the platoon sergeant. After retiring from the Army in 1996, Burks was brought back as a civilian employee the following year to perform the same role he held as a Solider. For 35 years, Burks has manufactured and maintained the 1916 horse tack. Horse tack is defined as pieces of equipment or accessories equipped on horses. Saddles, bridles, stirrups, reins, harnesses, and breastplates are examples of horse tack. “We outfit all the horses, all their harnesses, tack, inventory, tack maintenance, or teach how to do the tack maintenance and how to do the proper adjustments for the tack every morning before they go out into the cemetery,” said Burks. “We also handle all of the logistics and supplies needed for us to function.” Burk’s leather shop orders all of the hay, shavings, grain, and handles all of the contracts for the Caisson Platoon.