[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Page 28807]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING MAJOR GENERAL HARRY B. BURCHSTEAD, JR.

 Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, today I ask the Senate to join me 
in recognizing Major General Harry B. Burchstead, Jr. on the occasion 
of his retirement from the South Carolina Army National Guard. Since 
entering the United States Army as a commissioned officer through the 
ROTC program at Clemson University, General Burchstead has remained a 
dedicated serviceman for his entire career. Immediately after his 
graduation from Clemson, General Burchstead loyally answered his call 
of duty and deployed for combat service in the Vietnam War.
  After leaving active duty in 1971, General Burchstead went on to 
pursue his law degree at the University of South Carolina. While in law 
school, General Burchstead continued his military service by joining 
the South Carolina Army National Guard in 1972. For the next thirty-
five years, General Burchstead proudly served the State of South 
Carolina as a traditional citizen soldier through many levels of 
military service.
  In 1997, General Burchstead was appointed to serve as the Deputy 
Adjutant General of South Carolina. In this capacity, he was critical 
in advising the Adjutant General's oversight of the South Carolina Army 
and Air National Guard. For six years, General Burchstead's strategic 
and diligent counsel was integral to the effective military operations 
of our state's full-time servicemen and women.
  As a distinguished leader, General Burchstead was selected to command 
the 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command in 2003. In his role as 
Commander, General Burchstead led Joint Task Force Cobra in its 
execution of the Juniper-Cobra Missile Defense Exercise in Israel. 
Additionally, General Burchstead was successful in commanding the Joint 
Project Optical Windmill Air and Missile Defense Exercise in Europe, as 
well as the U.S.-Russian Federation Missile Defense Exercise at Fort 
Bliss, Texas.
  A dedicated patriot, General Burchstead formally retired from the 
South Carolina Army National Guard on September 30th, 2007. Over his 
thirty-five years of service General Burchstead has amassed numerous 
awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star 
Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Purple Heart, the U.S. 
Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. His military 
career will be forever marked by his selfless devotion and sacrifice to 
both our country and the State of South Carolina. I wish General 
Burchstead the very best in his retirement and ask that the United 
States Senate join me in thanking him for his lifelong career of 
service.

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