Mike Burns , Technology Director at East Bernstadt Independent
Schools , salutes the American flag .
| PHOTO BY NITA JOHNSON
FOR LOVE OF HIS COUNTRY
BURNS TEACHES PATRIOTISM , SERVICE OF MILITARY BY NITA JOHNSON | STAFF WRITER
Every year around Veterans Day , Mike Burns shines up his combat boots and walks proudly among the students and staff at East Bernstadt Independent School .
“ They don ’ t need a lot of cleaning - I just wear them once a year ,” he said with a smile .
But for Burns , the wearing of his combat boots signifies his experiences of military service and emphasizes that to the younger generations .
Burns hails from West Virginia but came to Kentucky as a soldier at Ft . Knox . He went into the U . S . Army on Nov . 3 , 1982 ( which is also his birthday ) and underwent his basic training at Ft . Leonardwood , Missouri . From there he was stationed at Ft . Knox , where he spent two years .
It was there that he met his wife .
Salute our Heroes 9