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I received the following email from my father, Lt. Col. Jay C. Hess, USAF Retired, today, March 24, 2016. He shared with me a poem that will be familiar to most who knew grandfather Kenneth Burnett. I recall grandfather reciting the poem many times at family gatherings or special occasions. I also recall him having the saying about getting old and getting smart on a wooden plaque that hung on the wall of their Emigration Canyon home.

All descendants of Ken and Melba Burnett should have access to this gem. There were many. Maybe someone can add to the list. Like "Too soon oldt, too late smardt."

Command Chief Master Sergeant Marva Harper of West Haven , Utah sent this to me a while back. She spoke at his funeral.

For the 419th Fighter Wing's Outstanding Airman of the year Banquet at Hill AFB in 1998, Marva invited a representative from past wars to attend. Their Commander had just returned from the 1st Gulf War. The asked me to represent Vietnam veterans, They had representatives from Korea and WW II. I asked Marva if they would like to invite a WW I vet. She was surprised one was alive. (By June of 2007 there were only four "WW I vets living. The last died in 2011 at the age of 110.) Ken Jr. brought his dad. He was the hit of the evening. Everyone wanted to have their picture taken with him. Ken recited this poem.

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