THE WALL OF FACES

My name is Erin Kathleen (another E.K.), and I’m your granddaughter. I feel the need to tell you how much you’ve affected our lives in the best way possible. I was thinking of you today, and I realized that it’s March 24th, three days before your birthday. While we’ve never met, your presence has always been felt. Pauline dedicated her life to including you in your grandchildren’s lives; through stories, memories, and pictures around her home. I also feel the generational twinge of your absence, even though I was protected from the true heaviness and burden of it all. I know now, at almost 30 years old, it’s because the people around me loved you (and therefore missed you) so significantly that even without words, it could be seen and understood. I have learned and accepted that with love, comes grief - it’s a package deal since everything has an equal and opposite reaction. But love is worth it. I even remember watching or reading Winnie the Pooh as a kid, and he said: “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?” At the end of the day, what a beautiful gift it is, to have a love so great and so powerful that it’s felt for generations to come. Thank you for the love and service you gave to our family and country.
-Kathy’s daughter

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from Jeannie Darling and your daughter Kathy are especially poignant. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

Senior Master Sergeant Earl Kenneth Burns Jr., Served with Headquarters, Central Ground Electronics Engineering Installation Agency, Headquarters Command, United States Air Force.

Mr. Burns,
It saddens me that I never had the honor and joy of meeting you. Your wife (Ma Burns) and children have been a large part of my life. I feel like I know you through them. Mrs. Burns is like a mother to me, and I love her deeply. I know that you would be proud of your children. Your children have grown to become responsible adults, but more importantly, kind, loving, and courageous human beings. I love them, and I love you.

Jeannie Darling

Dear SMS Earl Burns,
Thank you for your service as a Fixed Wing Crewman. It is important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.