thedrifter
02-12-09, 08:00 AM
74-year-old Prepares to
Go to War Zone
Last Edited: Wednesday, 11 Feb 2009, 11:31 PM EST
Created On: Wednesday, 11 Feb 2009, 9:43 PM EST
Tony Thomas
Edited By: Leigha Baugham | myfoxatlanta.com
ATLANTA (MyFOX ATLANTA) - Thousands of Soldiers and Marines from Georgia are serving overseas and fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lt. Col. John Burson from Carrollton will march off to war Friday at the age of 74.
Dr. Burson is an ear, nose and throat specialist who is volunteering to go to war again because he said he has enjoyed the American Dream.
"This is my third time I've done it, it's exciting," Lt. Col. Burson, of the U.S. Army.
Burson spent 30 years in the Army Reserves and never saw action, but now at the age of 74, he hopes to be on the front lines.
Lt. Col. Burson will join an infantry battalion in Afghanistan for 90 days and he said he may spend some time at a mountainous outpost in rugged conditions.
The 74-year-old doctor admitted that he had to convince Army doctors that he could handle the stress.
"As long as he meets the requirements there are no concerns we have for him compared to any other soldiers," said Lt. Col. Twanda Young, of the U.S. Army.
This will be Burson's third tour of duty in the past few years, and this time he hopes and expects to be closer to the fighting than ever before.
In his first tour in Iraq, Lt. Col. Burson spent time treating Saddam Hussein after his capture.
Dr. Burson is preparing for deployment at Ft. Benning this week and should leave Friday for the war zone.
A Pentagon spokesperson said Dr. Burson is one of the oldest people to ever volunteer.
Ellie
Go to War Zone
Last Edited: Wednesday, 11 Feb 2009, 11:31 PM EST
Created On: Wednesday, 11 Feb 2009, 9:43 PM EST
Tony Thomas
Edited By: Leigha Baugham | myfoxatlanta.com
ATLANTA (MyFOX ATLANTA) - Thousands of Soldiers and Marines from Georgia are serving overseas and fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Lt. Col. John Burson from Carrollton will march off to war Friday at the age of 74.
Dr. Burson is an ear, nose and throat specialist who is volunteering to go to war again because he said he has enjoyed the American Dream.
"This is my third time I've done it, it's exciting," Lt. Col. Burson, of the U.S. Army.
Burson spent 30 years in the Army Reserves and never saw action, but now at the age of 74, he hopes to be on the front lines.
Lt. Col. Burson will join an infantry battalion in Afghanistan for 90 days and he said he may spend some time at a mountainous outpost in rugged conditions.
The 74-year-old doctor admitted that he had to convince Army doctors that he could handle the stress.
"As long as he meets the requirements there are no concerns we have for him compared to any other soldiers," said Lt. Col. Twanda Young, of the U.S. Army.
This will be Burson's third tour of duty in the past few years, and this time he hopes and expects to be closer to the fighting than ever before.
In his first tour in Iraq, Lt. Col. Burson spent time treating Saddam Hussein after his capture.
Dr. Burson is preparing for deployment at Ft. Benning this week and should leave Friday for the war zone.
A Pentagon spokesperson said Dr. Burson is one of the oldest people to ever volunteer.
Ellie