Deployed 9th BS captain still a “Big” no matter the distance

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joel Mease
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  More than 7,000 miles separate them, but for a "Big" brother deployed in Southwest Asia staying in contact with his "little" brother in Abilene is just something both discovered they loved to do. 

Capt. Jared Burns, 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, has been a participant in Big Brothers Big Sisters for nearly two years. During that time he has been a "Big" as they call it in BBBS to Eli the entire time. 

"I joined soon after I got to Abilene because my wife was doing so much for the community I was inspired to volunteer myself," Captain Burns said. "I liked the idea of being a Big because I thought I had a lot to offer to a kid who might be just like me when I was young." 

Developing a bond 

Captain Burns wasn't sure what to expect at first, but over the time he found the bond he and Eli developed has been a very good experience for both of them. 

"When I started I just hoped I could at least be a good friend and somebody he could depend upon and trust," he said. "We would get together every other weekend and try to have a good time. We've been geocaching, built rockets, gone to parties, played video games and eaten a lot of pizza." 

Spending time together though he discovered wasn't just about having a good time. 

"Being a Big isn't just about helping younger people; I've found its good for me too," Captain Burns said. "It's nice to have somebody who looks up to you, and it makes you want to be a better person." 

Staying involved with the community 

When he deployed with the 9th Bomb Squadron, Captain Burns wasn't so sure at first he would be able to keep up his community involvement in Abilene. 

"Staying involved with the community while deployed is something I never really planned to do but found myself doing it anyway," Captain Burns said. "(I found) as a deployed Airman I depend on the help and support of the people in my hometown while I am away. The entire community is an extension of the network of family and friends I already rely on." 

Since he has been deployed his friends and strangers alike have helped out him and his family. Whether it be their car getting repaired by friends for no charge, a babysitter for their one-year-old, or support for his wife when she went through minor surgery. 

"My getting involved with the community is just a way to show thanks for everything they've done for us," he said. "I really couldn't get the job done here if I was worried about taking care of things back home. We're all part of the same team no matter how you look at it." 

A question from a mother and a teacher 

So when Eli's teacher and mother came to him with the idea of communicating with him and his classmates via webcam about his experiences in Southwest Asia, his only answer was a definite yes. 

"I remembered when I was in grade school and we wrote letters to soldiers fighting in the first Gulf War," Captain Burns said. "It was a great experience for me, and we even got to meet one of the soldiers when he came home. So for returning the favor for another group of students was actually very exciting." 

For Eli's mother, the captain's support for her son has meant nothing but the world to her. 

"He is always thinking of wonderful things to do with my son, and cares about what my son wants to do," said Carolyn Cockrell, Eli's mother. "My son can't wait for him to return this summer! He is such a humble and giving "Big", and truly wanted my son to feel even more special by talking to his class."

During Eli and his classmates time with Captain Burns over the webcam, they were able to ask him just about anything they wanted and he was able to talk about the culture around him.

"I knew it was a cool opportunity but honestly, I enjoyed it just as much as they did," Captain Burns said. "I mean, how cool is your job when you have an entire classroom ask about flying your jet in combat when you're half a world away fighting the Global War on Terrorism? It definitely remotivates you to put up with the heat and stress knowing you're making people proud by being here."