Posted by Jack Charles on August 16, 2011:

I, like you, have just read Jo Ann Shipley's notification of Ed Burko's death last February. Finding nothing posted on the "eulogy" page I decided to add a small "rememberance" of our short association. Upon graduation, Ed joined a quarter of our class who opted for Air Force service. We met again at Stallings AB, Kinston, NC--one of 6 civilian contract pilot training schools. We eager new AF 2nd lts were delighted to begin our entry into "the wild blue yonder" in the PA-18 Piper Cub. In this dual seater we would be taught the rudiments of flying--about 20 hours of instruction before "graduating" to the more powerful T-6. Ed, Bill Frier, and I were assigned to the same instructor. To shorten the story, Ed had problems with "hand/eye" coordination and the "system" decided Ed would better serve the AF in a non-flying position. He left the AF when his commitment was completed. Ed may have lacked "hand/eye" coordination in the cockpit, however, he had an abundance on the canvas--he became an accomplished artist. I refer you to the Class of 1954 40th Reunion Book, "54-40 And Still In The Fight." Look up the page on Ed Burko--one of his modern art masterpieces is reproduced. Read the accompanying summary of his artistic accomplishments. Ed Burko, now with "The Long Gray Line," will be remembered as an outstanding representative of the Class of 1954 and his art will live forever. Grip hands, Jack Charles

admin