by Kerry Thomas
Published in the
UW
Eau Claire Spectator: Thursday, November 29, 2001
What a
difference 29 days made.
On the night of Sept. 11 the Zorn Arena on the UW-Eau Claire campus was the
scene of one of the most shameful presentations seen in Eau Claire, Wisconsin in
a long time. I'm referring, of course, to the views expressed by Helen
Caldicott and her blatant hatred for President Bush, as well as the sentiments
expressed by her supporters in the crowd when one lone woman stood bravely
afterward to decry Ms. Caldicott's presentation, and the university's decision
to allow her presentation to go on as scheduled despite the events of that
fateful day.
This crowd, which appeared to champion diverse points of view and freedom of
speech, began to boo and hiss when this lone woman dared to denounce Ms.
Caldicott's remarks, telling her to sit down, to shut up and to go home.
How open-minded and tolerant of them.
The disgrace visited upon the Zorn arena that night was completely wiped away
last month, as the United States Air Force Concert Band and Singing Sergeants
filled the arena with inspirational songs of patriotism.
From their musical rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance to their final medley
of military marches, these men and women of the Air Force seemed to leave every
single one of the nearly 2,000 people in attendance feeling good about
themselves and good about America.
I am by no means a musical aficionado, nor would I pretend to be. But the
performance was simply inspirational, not because the quality of the
performance was that outstanding, but because the performance was deeply
heartfelt.
You could sense that these men and women were giving from their hearts, and the
crowd knew it. Not one single word of displeasure was overheard outside the
arena afterward.
Almost everyone leaving the arena that night took a moment to personally say an
honest thank you to at least one member of this troupe.
The story of one of these young men was especially touching.
I managed to speak with Airman First Class William Burkharter, who was a member
of the Honor Guard that night. He told me he was stationed in Washington,
and worked at the Pentagon. He would most likely have perished in the
Sept. 11 attack there, but for the fact that he had left his office to go grab
a quick bite to eat that morning.
His office was destroyed, and several of his co-workers did perish in the
attack. And there he was, 29 days later, as part of the Honor Guard
presenting the flag in Eau Claire.
His is but one story of so many, yet so typical. This young man has freely
chosen to put his life on the line for us, to answer the call to duty, and to
help preserve the freedoms we cherish so dearly.
If you would like to express your thanks to Airman Burkharter, or to the Air
Force Band and Singing Sergeants, you can write to him.
The full address is Airman First Class William Burkharter, ATTN: USAF Honor
Guard/USAF Band, 268 Luke Avenue, Box 664, Bolling AFB, DC, 20332. [Note – this
address is no longer valid]
He has assured me that any letters sent to him will also be shared with the full
band.
Please, take a few minutes and let him know you appreciate what he is doing for
you and for America.