The family of a Montgomery County native who died serving his country in Afghanistan hoped the Philadelphia Eagles would honor him at Lincoln Financial Field.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Peter "Pete" Taub and five other American military members died in Monday’s suicide bomb attack near Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan.
Taub, a 2004 graduate of Cheltenham High School in Wyncote, Pennsylvania was the father of a 3-year-old girl with another child on the way. Besides his family, he loved his Birds.
"(Pete) was a diehard Philadelphia fan," said Brittany Cuciti, who is engaged to Pete's wife brother, Ret. Marine Corps Cpl. Sandor Paar. "He had tattoos on him of every Philly team. But the Eagles were his favorite."
Pete's family hoped that the Eagles would honor him with a moment of silence or scoreboard post during the team's home finale against Washington Saturday night.
"It would mean the world to our family to have Pete recognized at tonight's Eagles game," Cuciti told NBC10. "He has great attributes as a person, as a father, husband, uncle, friend, and son and we would love for everyone to know what kind of person he was and how he died a hero defending our freedom for our country."
That sacrifice and the loss of Pete's life just before Christmas has helped drive a GoFundMe page to raise money for Pete’s pregnant wife and daughter to reach nearly $43,000 in just a handful of days.
"He loved his family, he loved his daughter -- the apple of his eye," Pete's father Joe Taub earlier told NBC10.
"Pete was the most caring and loving husband and father," said Cuciti. "He always had a smile on his face and he loved making people laugh. He always looked at the brighter side of life. He was a fantastic uncle to our one year old son Philip and Philip adored him."
The Eagles called Pete's family to express condolences and let them know that they would be sending a ball and jersey signed by the entire team. The team told the family that a moment of silence wasn't possible since the game script was already worked out.
"Our family appreciates all the support we have been getting and this would help us to see even more that people in our country are all behind us and Pete," said Cuciti. "(Pete's family) would be over the moon to see that the Eagles supporting them during their time of mourning and need."
Five others in Taub's convoy of U.S., NATO and Afghan forces also died as an attacker rammed an explosives-laden motorcycle into Taub's patrol in a village near the airfield. Two other Americans and an interpreter were wounded, U.S. officials said.
Pete's family said their thoughts and prayers are with the other five families. Funeral plans for Pete were pending as of Saturday.
Photo Credit: Family Photo
