LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Nearly a year ago, Brad Burlingame and his wife, Diane, traveled to Arlington National Cemetery to quietly pay their respects to Brad's brother Charles.
A retired Navy aviator nicknamed Chic, Charles Burlingame died piloting American Airlines Flight 77 on Sept. 11, 2001 - the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. At his funeral that December, Brad and the rest of the family were looking forward to a missing man flyover, but it was cancelled due to poor weather.
Five years later, the 1st Fighter Wing helped fulfill that honor. Brad and Diane pulled up to Chic's grave near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and saw a small group gathered; all former American Airlines employees. Just as Brad was explaining that he didn't believe in coincidences anymore, the sound of an F-22A Raptor roared through the air. The aircraft began low and quickly turned to a steep climb with its burners lit and finished with a perfectly executed pirouette. Brad couldn't hold back the tears after witnessing the missing man formation. Chic had finally gotten his flyover.
Brad was so touched by this moment that he wanted to personally thank the pilot. He contacted the then-1st FW commander Brig. Gen. Burton Field, who invited the Burlingame family to visit Langley.
Brad, his sister, Deborah Burlingame, and Tom Lombardo, a fellow American Airlines pilot and friend of Chic, made the visit to Langley Aug. 29, 2007. They said they were thrilled to meet with Col. Jeffery Harrigian, 1st FW vice commander, and take a tour of the 94th Fighter Squadron, the hangars and the flightline. They spoke of being moved by the dedication and commitment of the troops to their work.
"You could feel the pride in the hangar; you could feel the energy," Brad said. "I wish the country could see that."
They also met with Lt. Col. Kevin Fesler, the F-22 pilot who performed the 2006 missing man maneuver and 94th FS commander. What they didn't know was that Colonel Fesler had seen Brad a few years earlier during a deployment. While watching television, the colonel witnessed Brad throw the first pitch at a Los Angeles Angels baseball game. When they did finally meet, it was an emotional experience.
"It was an honor to meet Mr. Burlingame's family and friends," said Colonel Fesler. "It was one of the highlights of my career. It was a motivational experience for the entire squadron."
The Burlingames are now outspoken advocates of the military, and they urge Airmen to be proud of their service.
Colonel Fesler says he is also proud to have given back to this family.
"They were so thankful for the flyover, which allowed them to achieve a level of closure for their brother's passing," he said. "It makes all of the work, coordination and long hours worth it, when you know you affect someone this way."