Ralph Burkhart:  

It was the 60's and a time I enjoyed being a rebel. In high school I broke the rules and I recall our principal saying that I belonged in reform school, not high school. My little known secret was that my high school crush was Jaylene Bush. But, unfortunately, the closest we ever got was being on the same page in the high school yearbook (LOL).. Another secret was that I was an Eagle Scout. I attended a Troop in Kansas City where we used to live, so nobody in Raytown knew of this accomplishment...and I kept it secret because it didn't fit the image I wanted. But it has done wonders for my life and career, and in 2019 I became a recipient of the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award. My most enjoyable thing in high school was getting out and I never looked back.. That could have been the end of my story. But after graduation I discovered that our government was looking for some bad boys who enjoyed breaking rules. I was recruited into special assignments where the only rules I had to obey were the rules of engagement. The government took good care of me and I was sent to get a bachelor’s degree at the State University of New York, a master’s degree from Purdue University, and post graduate school at the prestigious U.S. Army War College. The only thing I had to do in return were jobs they needed done, don't ask too many questions, and follow protocol. Oh....and I had to cut my hair. I was trained in all types of military tradecraft and to be a US Army paratrooper, a US Army Ranger, mastery of many types of weapons, mountain climbing, street fighting, use of explosives, and groomed for some very interesting work. Then I was nominated and approved by the Senate to receive a Regular Army Commission. Who would have thought, by an act of Congress I became an officer and a gentleman. In return I have spent most of my life doing work for agencies such as the US Army, the Defense Department, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Department of Homeland Security and NASA. For the next 30 years I was sent to do operations in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Panama, Germany, Italy, Bosnia, Kosovo, South Korea and other locations down-range that you never want to go to. Got lucky...lived through it all and had the support and partnership with my wonderful wife, Brenda Adams, who is from Kansas City (East High). I married Brenda in July 1969 after I returned from combat in Vietnam, and I am proud we have been together through all the tough times, good times, and other times for what is now going on 48 years. Not many wives would be willing to see her husband get a phone call in the middle of the night that would have him leave with no idea of where he is going or what he is doing. Not many wives would be willing to have a bug-out bag always packed in case we might have to be evacuated from where we were temporarily living. She is the best and toughe...Expand for more