Kevin McCullough
Tuesday, June 11, 2002

The family says that she's the same spunky Gracia. After being unable to speak to her for over a year, the Burnham family in Wichita, Ks., waits eagerly for the next ring of the phone.

We've all seen their news photos over the past year: their frames becoming increasingly frail; family members, including their three children, wondering if they would ever see them again. Late last week saw a very difficult end to the search for Martin and Gracia Burnham.

The captors of the American couple, who had kidnapped them while they were taking a brief holiday to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary, had moved them around with increasing repetition in recent days.

Fearing that American and Filipino forces were closing in, the al-Qaeda-sponsored group would set up camp nightly in a predictable pattern. They would determine which side of the camp opposition forces would most likely attack from, then place the Burnhams directly in the path.

Stories had emerged of the American missionary couple sharing their faith with their captors. On nights when food was low in the terror camp, they even shared their paltry rations with the men holding them.

Martin had told Gracia for some time that he had a feeling he would not make it out alive. In doing so he readied himself, his wife and even his children for what was to come.

As Gracia returns to the U.S., she brings with her letters written by Martin to each of the three children. These letters will doubtless serve as a father's personal legacy to his children, filled with personal thoughts, reflections and challenges for each child to reflect upon. The children will most likely carry these handwritten letters close to their persons for some months to come and eventually store them in the most indestructible place they can find.

Rumors persisted for months about Martin's health while in captivity, yet he lived until the very moment freedom broke through. Had he not instinctively draped his body over Gracia's, there was a high likelihood that neither would have returned to see their children.

But he was there, and he did protect his love up till the very moment of his death. Gracia suffered only a small wound in her thigh and should be back on her feet soon.

The conditions of the Filipino jungle are as harsh as they come. We in North America don't fear the insect bites, the lack of food, the rough terrain or, especially, being held hostage by al-Qaeda-backed terrorists. We go through our days oblivious to all that is around us, pursuing our little agendas and dreams because we somehow feel we're entitled to them.

America will pause for brief bits of time this week and hear the story of the Burnhams. Maybe we will even watch Martin's funeral Friday morning on C-SPAN. In the end, not much will change.

But much will change for Jeff, Mindy and Zach. These now-fatherless three see a future that looks very different. But Martin Burnham was a man who knew the true significance of being a man and took every step he could to influence the lives of his children in the days ahead.

In preparing those personal letters to each of them, in clinging to life no matter how starved or insect-bitten he became, and in doing all he could – literally giving his life – to protect the life of his children's mother, he was a giant among men.

Contrast that with politicos here who give in constantly to special influence for a few more campaign dollars.

Contrast that with the mayor of the city of Chicago, who will not protect kids from sexual predators in his own libraries.

Contrast that with homosexual Catholic priests who prey on their parish's children.

Contrast that with the man or woman in your office who is involved in the enticement of a relationship that is not with their spouse.

Contrast it with any of these ... then you tell me who the real man is!

As Jeff, Mindy and Zach read and reread the pages of hand-written instruction, their lives will never be in doubt as to what nobility looks like. I only wish more men would learn the nobility that could be theirs from just "being the kind of man that every man should be."

Kevin McCullough and Deborah Rowe are enjoyed weekdays 3-5 p.m. on AM 1160 WYLL, a 50,000-watt station in Chicago, Ill., www.wyll.com. Kevin may be reached at kmc@wyll.com.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
War on Terrorism

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