Page 142 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2016

HENRY BURKLE
World War II veteran recalls years of service to our country
World War II veteran Henry Burkle has seen a lot of history and lifestyle changes in his 95 years. He was born in a little town in Southeastern Kansas where his dad was a coal miner, and his mother died before he was old enough to remember her. Later the mines closed and his dad was forced to do all sorts of work.
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Teddy Lewis
Burkle notes that his school years were encompassed by the Great Depression, ending with high school graduation in 1939. “During school, I worked on farms, delivered groceries and mowed lawns,” he said. “I completed a two-year business school
in Joplin, Missouri, and thought ‘oh boy, I’ll go out and get a job.’ But, although the war hadn’t started, men were already being drafted and I couldn’t find a job.”
He and his roommate joined the Army Air Corps because they could
see what loomed ahead for much
of the world. After basic training in Missouri, Burkle qualified for aircraft mechanics school, where he was on the fateful Dec. 7, 1941. “My course was compressed by attending class seven days a week for 10 to 12 hours each
LIVING HISTORY feeling lucky
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