tribute

Today we buried a true hero, William (aka Wild Billy, aka Daddy-O) Burnside, a man that defended our great country for over twenty years as a soldier in both the Army and the Air Force. He spent World War II in Germany and also served in the Korean and the Viet Nam wars. I admired him for that. My admiration and thanks also go to the chaplain and the soldiers that participated in the funeral for their precision, respect and enthusiasm for the job they do. Bill would have been proud and honored. Good soldiers every one.

My admiration for Bill runs much deeper on a personal level. Bill Burnside was a free spirit. His spirit sometimes forced him to make hard decisions, but he always chose to follow his heart and live the life he wanted to live to the fullest.

He was a bit of a recluse, and he chose to live many of his years in an isolated spot in Oregon. He spent his time chopping firewood for the long winters, snowmobiling and four-wheeling with his nearby friends and his beloved dog, Tippy. He also observed life and would poignantly and, often hilariously, point out the faults of the sanctimonious, overbearing, mean-spirited and stupid people he encountered.

I remember being somewhat nervous the first time I met him after hearing Lana speak of him for many years. He came riding into town on a Honda Gold Wing, which is a hard trip from Oregon to Texas for anyone, especially for a man in his sixties. My fears were soon vanquished and a true friendship developed with the man I met. He called things like he saw them and would often throw in a soul-stripping barb that rang of a truth one often didn't care to have pointed out. But when the recipient returned an equally pointed barb, Bill could be heard laughing the loudest. He could dish it out, but he could take it, too.

I know it's not our place to judge, but sometimes I wonder how God judges people that led a good but not perfect life. If the criteria is how much he was loved by the ones he left behind, then Bill will have a huge mansion and a crown of gold. Though his reply would probably be, "Thanks, but is that little cabin in the mountains available?" I have never met a man that was more loved, respected and admired by his children. He was more than their dad- he was their idol, their inspiration and their hero. In my opinion, you can't ask more from a man than that.

So, Bill, please add my salute to the twenty-one gun salute in your honor at the service. I, too, admired you and love you as a friend. Gaining your friendship and respect meant a lot to me. So long, Wild Billy, and happy trails to you until we all gather again to bask in the light of your spirit.

By Jim Hughes

September 3, 2001

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In Your Honor

Unselfishly, you left your fathers and your mothers,

You left behind your sisters and your brothers.

Leaving your beloved children and wives,

You put on hold your dreams, your lives.

On foreign soil, you found yourself planted

To fight for those whose freedom you granted.

Without your sacrifice, their cause would be lost

But you carried onward, no matter the cost.

Many horrors you had endured and seen.

Many faces had haunted your dreams.

You cheered as your enemies littered the ground;

You cried as your brothers fell all around.

When it was over, you all came back home,

Some were left with memories to face all alone;

Some found themselves in the company of friends

As their crosses cast shadows across the land.

Those who survived were forever scarred

Emotionally, physically, permanently marred.

Those who did not now sleep eternally

'Neath the ground they had given their lives to keep free.

With a hand upon my heart, I feel

The pride and respect; my reverence is revealed

In the tears that now stream down my upturned face

As our flag waves above you, in her glory and grace. Freedom was the gift that you unselfishly gave

Pain and death was the price that you ultimately paid. Every day, I give my utmost admiration

To those who had fought to defend our nation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author Unknown

Bury Me With Soldiers

I've played a lot of roles in life;

I've met a lot of men.

I've done a lot of things I'd like to think

I wouldn't do again.

And though I'm young,

I'm old enough

To know someday I'll die.

To think about what lies beyond,

And beside whom I would lie.

Perhaps it doesn't matter much'

Still, if I had my choice,

I'd want a grave amongst soldiers when

At last death quells my voice.

I'm sick of the hypocrisy

Of lectures of the wise.

I'll take the man, with all the flaws,

Who goes, though scared, and dies.

The troops I knew were commonplace,

They didn't want the war;

They fought because their fathers and

Their fathers had before.

They cursed and killed and wept...

God knows they're easy to deride.

But bury me with men like these;

They faced the guns and died.

It's funny when you think of it,

They way we got along,

We'd come from different worlds to live

In one where no one belongs.

I didn't even like them all;

I'm sure they'd all agree.

Yet, I would give my life for them;

I know some did for me.

So bury me with soldiers, please,

Though much maligned they be.

Yes, bury me with soldiers,

For I miss their company.

We'll not soon see their likes again;

If we've had our fill of war.

So bury me with men like them,

I cannot ask for more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author Unknown