Chic Burlingame is laid to rest - 12 December 2001

Story by Lambert "Bo" Heikes

Photos courtesy of Debra Burlingame

American Airlines was very well represented by uniformed captains and crewmembers, as they were at Chic's memorial service in the Naval Academy Chapel on 20 September. And of course, also well represented was the Class of '71, USNA. VADM Tim Keating, Mike Marks, George Flynn and Frank McAfee were among the honorary pall bearers. Perry Martini, Brian Horais, Chuck and Jan Boyer, Bill Hoover, Finley Foster, Cass Young, Dave Vandover, Pete deVos, Teddy Snoots, Ozzie Fretz, Bob Wagoner, and possibly others I regrettably cannot bring to mind at the moment, attended. Please forgive my oversight(s).

Tim Keating provided a eulogy, as did Senator George Allen. Tim, soon to be Commander in Chief, Fifth Fleet, highlighted the days we spent together in Bancroft Hall in the late 60s, then reassured us all that the military component of the war on terrorism would be relentless in bringing terrorists to justice. Sen John Warner attended, too. Mike Marks, handsome and suave, read Scripture. The Army provided the traditional caisson and ceremonial chapel ushers. The Navy provided a full Honor Guard and the firing squad. A soloist rendered a memorable Amazing Grace in the Chapel, and the Navy bugler issued a flawless and haunting rendition of taps at the grave. We all walked behind the caisson from the chapel to the grave.

A low and solid ceiling, probably about 400 over and 1/2 mile for the aviators, precluded the scheduled fly over. American hosted a lavish reception at the Hilton in Alexandria following the services where we gathered to be of moral support to each other and to Sheri and the proud Burlingame family. The services at the grave apparently appeared live on CNN.

Lambert "Bo" Heikes