My first encounter with Sgt. Bob Burnett was on my first day of basic training
in October 1966 in the barracks at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He walked in and yelled, "There is nothing I hate more than 'cruits."

My first thought was, "I am going to have to endure eight weeks of this?"

Fast-forward to end of basic training and Burnett turned out to be a good and fair man. The guys in the barracks decided to chip in and buy him a Polaroid camera, and he was very appreciative, as were we for him being a good drill sergeant.

I go home on Christmas leave and relate this story to my father. My father was a master sergeant in World War II with the 12th Armored Division in the Battle of the Bulge in Belguim and France.

"What the hell is the Army coming to?" he asked. He even saw that my story got in his Army Unit "Hellcat News" newsletter.

Further, on Christmas leave I had lunch with his business associates, many of whom were WWII veterans and related the story.

Thank you for hearing me out.

Ken Pedersen
Specialist 4th Class(Retired)
US Army 1965-1971