[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 195 (Thursday, November 30, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1627-E1628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING MASTER SERGEANT JOHN C. BURNAM, USA (RETIRED)

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. WALTER B. JONES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 30, 2017

  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to honor retired 
Master Sergeant John C. Burnam for his honorable and distinguished 
service in the United States Army, which included two years of combat 
mission as an infantryman and German shepherd scout dog handler during 
the Vietnam War. In addition, I would like to recognize him for years 
of tireless work after military retirement to establish the John Burnam 
Monument Foundation, which designed and built a national monument for 
America's military working dogs and their handlers that served in the 
Armed Services of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and 
Iraq.
  Master Sergeant Burnam's time in the Army can be categorized best by 
his two years of service during the ground war in South Vietnam, where 
he was deployed as a combat infantryman in the 7th Cavalry in the 1st 
Cavalry Division, and was subsequently wounded in battle. During his 
second year in Vietnam, he distinguished himself as a German shepherd 
scout dog handler serving in the 44th infantry scout dog platoon. After 
being wounded and the death of his first canine companion, Timber, he 
returned to duty and participated in over thirty combat missions, 
leading combat infantry patrols and saving American lives with his 
second scoutdog, Clipper. Tragically, both of his dogs died in the 
Vietnam War, which had a profound impact on the rest of Master Sergeant 
Burnam's career, as well as his personal life.
  Throughout Master Sergeant Burnam's combat service, he was awarded 
over thirteen military service awards, some of which include the Legion 
of Merit medal, the Bronze Star medal, and the Purple Heart medal. 
However, his achievements go far beyond his impressive resume, military 
awards, and Army accomplishments. Master Sergeant Burnam went on to 
establish the John Burnam Monument Foundation, an organization that 
grew from his desire to honor others who have served on Military 
Working Dog teams throughout American history. His foundation, as its 
name suggests, was dedicated to funding the construction and 
maintenance of a national monument for the men, women, and canines that 
make up these teams. In addition to his foundation, he has worked 
relentlessly to bring awareness to the work of scout dog handlers by 
authoring books, writing articles, and appearing in TV documentaries on 
the History Channel, Netflix, CNN, and other channels. Master Sergeant 
Burnam's authentic and passionate storytelling have brought to life the 
hardships, humor, and horrors of combat, as well as the courageous 
heroism of both dog and handler.
  In 2005, Master Sergeant Burnam approached me to help him turn his 
dream of a Military Working Dog monument into a reality. He worked 
relentlessly, contributing language to support the drafting of the 
legislation, as well as giving congressional testimony before several 
subcommittees during the legislative process. Due to his tenacity and 
passion for the project, the legislation was signed by President Obama 
into Public Law 110-181 on October 28, 2009. This finally set into 
motion Master Sergeant Burnam's vision by authorizing the John Burnam 
Monument Foundation to establish and maintain a national monument on 
the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
  This approval sparked Master Sergeant Burnam's motivation to maintain 
his voice in the process, as he led the design and development details 
of the national monument, including size, scope, and historical 
significance of each component. This included the large

[[Page E1628]]

bronze statues of the Military Working Dog teams, a granite history 
wall with an engraved narrative, and a bronze military working dog and 
handler water fountain. The entire monument sits on a 3,000 square foot 
granite plaza with five flag poles representing each of the armed 
services.
  To pay for its construction, Master Sergeant Burnam organized an 
ambitious public fundraising campaign, which secured $2.1 million 
dollars for the project. He even went as far as to raise a maintenance 
fund so this burden would not be placed on the American taxpayer. After 
closely overseeing the installation and construction of the national 
monument, the John Burnam Monument Foundation officially gifted it to 
the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force and the Joint Base San 
Antonio, where the Department of Defense has been training Military 
Working Dog teams of all services since 1958.
  On October 28, 2013 the national monument was officially unveiled and 
dedicated at the Lackland Air Force Base, where Master Sergeant Burnam 
provided a moving testimony. The monument is currently accessible to 
the American people and their dogs, and attracts thousands of visitors 
and veterans from across the United States and the world. Since the 
completion of the national monument, Master Sergeant Burnam continues 
to be an advocate for our nation's Military Working Dog teams.
  Master Sergeant Burnam's extensive career is distinguished by his 
desire to serve the Marine Corps and our nation. His sacrifices may 
never be fully recognized, but his impact will be felt by Americans for 
generations to come. On behalf of my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle, I would like to recognize Master Sergeant John C. Burnam for his 
outstanding achievements and contributions to our nation both in active 
duty and in retirement. His extraordinary efforts to honor the U.S. 
Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Military Working Dog 
teams will never be forgotten. I pray his legacy lives on forever.

                          ____________________