John Burgess:  

Life Athol was a marvelous and magical place for me while growing up. I can’t imagine a better place and Athol High was the greatest. After graduating from high school I attended and graduated from Mary Karl School of Electronics in Daytona Beach, Fla.. I then enlisted in the United States Air Force and served my country honorably for twenty years. Among my most memorable accomplishments were: Graduated from three Air Force Technical Schools and the Air Force Leadership School. I participated in the Sram Missile Program at Barksdale AFB, La. in The Strategic Air Command for defense of our nation. Safety Officer and supervisor over the White Scoring Team at Toliche Peak Missile Range in Nevada as part of The Red Flag mission for training pilots. I was fortunate enough to work at the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory at Hanscom AFB, Ma. with scientists and physicists in the Infared Scientific Field. I was an air crew member and our mission was to perform infared measurements on aircraft, ground targets , and other targets for military purposes. On our aircraft we had the prototype of what is now known as Night Vision and the Global Positioning System (GPS). It was an exciting, challenging, and rewarding time for me. I was a nobody but I was fortunate enough to work in a great field with great people. At the Timing Shop at Wright-Patterson AFB, Oh. I supervised and worked on Precision Clocks that were used on aircraft in support of the Space Shuttle. Awarded The AIR Force Commendation Metal for work above and beyond the call of duty. Graduated from Park College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and an Associates Degree in Management. A graduate also of the Internal Revenue School for Agents. My most rewarding yet challenging work was at the Alzheimer’s Unit of the Dayton VA Medical Center in Ohio where I was able to help in a small way those Veterans whose life had taken a turn for the worst with this horrible disease. Many friends were made & lost but my fond memories will last forever. I have be...Expand for more