OTMJ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL u OTMJ.COM
SOCIAL
HOME
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2018
Retired Maj. Gen. Burford Uses Retirement to Work Toward Better Support for Veterans
VETERANS DAY
Since retiring, David Burford has devoted himself to helping other veterans who didn’t transition as well back to civilian life. When Burford retired in February 2011, he was the highest-ranking Green Beret in the Army’s reserve unit. On Nov. 4, he will speak at the Veterans Day Ceremony at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park, an opportunity to share with the public how important it is to lend respect and support to veterans, especially those who are in need.
www.pigbham.com
Bates, Alabama Fresh Only at the Pig!
Courtesy David Burford
Journal photo by Lee Walls Jr.
By, With and Through A Others
By Emily Williams
s a retired major general of the Alabama Army National Guard, it has been ingrained in David Burford to work “by, with and through others.” Burford’s father, 2nd Lt. Macon C. Pippen, was a veteran of World War II who died, partially due to his battle wounds, when Burford was 10 years old. “Somewhere in that 10 years I gained a respect for what he did,” Burford said. “So, when I went to college, I went through ROTC just to see if I liked it.” He liked it so much that he left Georgia Tech as a distinguished military graduate with a chemical engineering degree and status as a second lieutenant, moving on to serve on active duty for the first five years. That first step in college led him toward a career in the military for nearly four decades, becoming a member of the Green Berets, and, surprisingly to him, a two-star general for the Alabama Army National Guard. His service has taken him all over the world, from being stationed in Kansas, Georgia and Alabama; to serving abroad in Iraq, Afghanistan, China, Central and South America and the Philippines. He has rescued flood victims, provided shelter during ice storms, served during tornadoes and met with U.S. ambassadors, presidents and other dignitaries. When he retired in February 2011, he was the highest-ranking green beret in the Army’s reserve unit. “I never expected to be on-duty for 38 years, nevertheless be a two-star,” he said. “I didn’t plan this; it just kind of evolved.” Since retiring, Burford has devoted himself to helping other veterans who didn’t transition as well back to civilian life. On Nov. 4, he will speak at the Veterans Day Ceremony at the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park, an opportunity to share with See VETERANS DAY, page 12
PRE-ORDER YOUR BATES FRESH TURKEY!