Sep 10, 2008 | 10:11 PM
Category:
News
I wouldn't necessarily call him my 'friend' but i've become close with Brad Burlingame over the years. We first me in 2005 in an '' anniversary'' story for 9/11. Brad, who is the Pres. of the West Hollywood Visitors and Convention Bureau, is an outgoing smiling type who's world was shattered when the brother he idolized, "Chic'' died.. Chic was the pilot of United flight 77, which hit the granite walls of the Pentagon at 500 miles per hour carrying 5000 gallons of jet fuel and 63 other people. What's remarkable about Brad is how well he's dealt with this tragedy... in terms of being able to speak about what it meant to him and so many others.. and why we must never let down our guard.. and what kind of threat we continue to face.
Many others are weary of the media and our annual stories where relatives of victims vent...... and i totally understand that.. but Brad feels his brother would want him to speak out and continue to warn people to stay vigilant and stay strong.. and not just once year. He reminds us that there are people who don't like our freedom and way of life... and would love to hit us again... it's cold but it's true... that's the bottom line.... and that's why Brad is doing his brother and 3000 others proud by carrying the flag, so to speak, loudly and clearly
This year I made another visit to Brad's office... which still contains a lot of momentos of his and his brothers lives... you can tell they had a lot of fun... Behind the LA County Museum of art is a grove of trees dedicated to United 77's crew... Brad helped get that planted .... and in North Hollywood Park.. the name '' Burlingame'' is one of many victims names inscribed on a stone monument amidst hundreds of trees planted there in honor of 9/11's California victims.. Brad isn' t defined by 9/11, but he doesn't shy away from talking about it.. the loss.. and the warnings
( P.S)... in another tragic postcript.. Chic's adult daughter, and only child, died a year ago in an accidental apartment fire in NY .