The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Texas Lottery Veteran Recognition: Bron Burke
09.09.2016 | Football, Texas Athletics
On Saturday, Air Force veteran Bron Burke will be recognized during the coin toss.
Bron Burke's life of service and commitment to the Air Force started as a response to help out a few friends.
His college roommates at The University of Texas were enrolled in the ROTC program, and they asked Burke to join as well, mostly, as he remembers it, because they needed someone to bulk out their recreational sports teams. Turns out, neither of Burke's friends went on to careers in the Air Force.
Burke retired in 1995 as a colonel in the Air Force after a decorated 20-year career.
"It was an evolution, a path to explore," Burke said. "It turned into a passion. You wouldn't make all those sacrifices unless you were passionate about the commitment and called to serve."
After Burke enrolled in the ROTC elective, he took the officer qualification test and was offered a scholarship. Even though he said he did not begin with a particular interest in flying, the counsel of a wise captain encouraged Burke to pursue the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Burke trained and earned his private pilot's license as an undergraduate student, and then moved to the Air Force base in Big Spring, Texas after graduation to continue his advanced Air Force training.
He learned the basics of airmanship and formation flying. Class ranking determines your flight field – fighter, bomber or transport – and Burke graduated high enough to pursue a career as an Air Force fighter pilot. He spent much of his career flying the single-seat F-15 fighter jet.
Burke also served as the Tactical Air Command F-15 Demonstration Pilot, commanded the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico) and the 56th Operations Group (Luke Air Force Base, Arizona), completed two Pentagon staff tours and served a Deputy Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force and Special Assistant to the Commander USSOUTHCOM.
When Burke chose to retire in 1995, he was the youngest colonel, and had a bright path in front of him, but another commitment – his commitment to his family – called him in a different direction. By that point, the Burke family had lived in 22 homes across the world, and with his two daughters nearing high school, he did not want them to miss that experience if the family was overseas.
"Our great nation also owes military families a debt of gratitude," Burke said. "Although it is the service man or woman who raises their right hand and swears they 'will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and ...' and puts themselves in harm's way, the military family takes on a tremendous burden, many challenges, and makes valuable contributions that often go unrecognized and underappreciated."
Burke met his wife, Randi, in Austin during college, and together they have two daughters, Kacie and Beth. Kacie went to 11 different schools, and Beth attended nine. They family survived and thrived the military life, which involved picking up, moving, making a new home and not knowing if they'd be there for six months or three years.
In addition to the stress and worry of having a husband and father in harm's way, Randi appreciated the role of a commander's wife, helping organize and take care of other family, and volunteering at the Airman's Attic, Red Cross, and other base welfare organizations.
"My family sacrificed and served, and their support enabled me to serve," Burke says.
Both Burke daughters attended The University of Texas, and the family continues to travel to Austin and watch home Longhorns football games together.
Thanks to the Texas Lottery, great things are happening all across Texas. Every year, more than a billion dollars goes to good causes like public education and veterans assistance programs.
Since 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated more than $25 billion in revenue for good causes in the state of Texas, including education, veterans' services and other important state programs. Through strict adherence to their vision, mission and core values, the Texas Lottery is dedicated to ensuring that these benefits continue.
