RDML Scott Burhoe retirement
Written by Fred Herzberg
I just returned from the retirement ceremony of RDML Scott Burhoe, superintendent of CGA for the past 4 1/2 years. The retirement went on for over an hour under blue skies with scudding white clouds, pushed by sprighlty winds. I have been to lots of retirement ceremonies, but this was awesome. I knew Scott was unique but the accolades went on and on, and that was just from Bob Papp, Commandant.
The Class of 1955 had made Scott an honorary member, thanks to the suggestion of Dick Abrahams and the intervention of Howie Thorsen, thinking that since he was the first Academy Superintendent that was not an Academy graduate, he might need a support system. The last thing in the world Scott needed was a support system. But he sincerely appreciates his association with us. This noon , at the launching of the first Luders boat in the new fleet, sponsored by the Class of 1953, he mentioned that the Class of 1953 were the mentors of his class, the Class of 1955. Does it get better than that?
During the retirement Scott pointed out one of the most influential people in his early career, BMC retired George Pledger. I spent some time with George at the reception. He has direct family ties with the Pea Island crew of a century ago. I will be contacting him to arrange to film his life story this September
Information for the Class of 1955. Yesterday I presented Scott a gift from the Class. Since he is 20+ years younger than the youngest of us, it is likely that he will be the last man standing. I gave him an engraved box containing a bottle of, now, 21 year old Glenlivet Archive single malt scotch. By this time he is the last man, he could auction it off on e-bay
and buy a new car. When I presented it, he seemed genuinely touched--perhaps because he could not get into it for at least several years.
