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Wing dedicates Equal Opportunity conference room in honor of CMSgt. Willie Burnett

  • Published
  • By Karen Petitt
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  In honor of his 29 years of service--much of that time as a first sergeant and Equal Opportunity counselor--the 375th Air Mobility Wing dedicated its EO conference room on behalf of Chief Master Sgt. Willie Burnett.
Chief Burnett was well known around the base for his gregarious demeanor and outgoing personality. He had served as a first sergeant since 1989 and upon retirement, became an EO counselor for the wing. After a few years, he moved across the street to become the EO Program Manager for Air Mobility Command where he served until he passed away in 2008.
Former wing commander, Col. Gary Goldstone, presided over the June 22 ceremony and said the wing wanted to honor Chief Burnett for his years of mentoring young troops and advising commanders. The commander told a story of how the chief helped a young Airman and his family on their way to a vacation when they became stranded with a broken down car. The chief promptly assisted the family in getting to the airport and gave them some extra money for their travels.

"Chief Burnett never took off his diamond, and he set the example for all of us to go out and pay it forward," said the colonel.

The former command chief for AMC and now retired Chief Master Sgt. Michael Kerver, who spoke at the dedication, said, "Willie was one of those guys who could drink scotch with the colonels, beer with the troops, tea with the enlisted wives, cokes with the Family Support Center volunteers, and lemonade with the chaplain. He was a man who could relate to everyone. Willie had a favorite saying that he lived by: 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.'"

He also shared a story about how Chief Burnett would hold "mandatory choir practice" every Friday at 3 p.m. for his troops and peers.

"It was his subtle way of gathering people together in a spirit of teamwork. Willie was everyone's Wingman long before the Air Force coined the phrased. So, it is certainly fitting that this be named after Willie to honor his life of service and friendship."

Chief Burnett's widow, Bettye, who is also a retired Master Sergeant, said she appreciated the wing honoring her husband.

"I don't think this is something that would have ever crossed his mind that would happen. He gave so freely to others and had a real passion for people. He was a lot of things to a lot of people, and he was an extraordinary man. Thank you for this honor and God bless our troops."