Soldiers from the U.S. Army Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape School at Fort Rucker present the remains of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen A. Burch, a Vietnam veteran and former Army UH-1 "Huey" helicopter pilot, to his wife Linda in a small ceremony honoring Burch at a remote training site where he once served near Samson, Alabama, November 21, 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Kelly Morris)

Linda Burch scatters the ashes of her husband of 56 years, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen A. Burch, a Vietnam veteran and former Army UH-1 "Huey" helicopter pilot, with support from U.S. Army Capt. Deron R. McDaniel, 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment chaplain, during a small ceremony at a remote training site near Samson, Alabama, November 21, 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Kelly Morris)

A TH-1H "Huey" helicopter from the 23d Flying Training Squadron, U.S. Air Force, lands at a remote training site near Samson, Alabama, as part of a ceremony to honor the late Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen A. Burch, a Vietnam veteran and former Army UH-1 pilot, November 21, 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Kelly Morris)

The 23d Flying Training Squadron, U.S. Air Force, delivers the remains of the late Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen A. Burch, a Vietnam veteran and former Army UH-1 helicopter pilot, via Huey helicopter to a remote training site near Samson, Alabama, for a ceremony in Burch's honor conducted by the U.S. Army's Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape School personnel November 21, 2022. The training site was the location of Burch's final military assignment when he served in the Army. (U.S. Army photo by Kelly Morris)

FORT RUCKER, Ala. — Soldiers and Airmen from Fort Rucker were on-hand to help Wiregrass resident Linda Burch say a final goodbye to her husband of 56 years, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Stephen A. Burch, a Vietnam veteran and former Army UH-1 “Huey” pilot, in a small ceremony near Samson, Alabama, Nov. 21, 2022.

Burch served in the Army from 1965-1969 with one tour in Vietnam.

Burch's last work location while on active duty was at Fort Rucker at a remote training site near Samson. During the Vietnam era the site was used to conduct tactical instrument training, tactical field training and landing zone operations, according to Bob Mitchell, U.S. Army Aviation Museum director. Today the site is used as part of the U.S. Army Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape School at Fort Rucker, which all aviators must complete. Linda felt it was fitting to spread Burch's ashes there.

After separating from the Army, Burch completed a career in civil service. He passed away in 2021.

Burch’s ashes, along with a folded American flag, arrived via a Huey helicopter flown by the 23rd Flying Training Squadron, U.S. Air Force, which is based at Cairns Army Airfield, for a formal handoff to Army SERE School personnel to conduct a brief memorial ceremony.

Capt. Deron R. McDaniel, chaplain for 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment, provided remarks, a special prayer, scripture reading, and Taps was played.

“His life was characterized by love for his country,” McDaniel said during the eulogy. “This place was very special to him. Today we honor his life.”

Linda contacted the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence earlier in the year with a request to spread her husband’s ashes at the last place he had served as a Soldier and Army aviator.

When Maj. Nick Barwikowski, commander of the U.S. Army SERE School at Fort Rucker, learned of the request, he coordinated for a small ceremony, and reached out to the Air Force about the requested final flight for Burch in a Huey.

“We just feel honored that we could honor a service member,” said Barwikowski.

As Linda looked out over the field where her late husband had worked, she said it gave her goosebumps.

“It was kind of hard leaving him out there, but I think he’s where he needs to be. I’m elated because it’s not just chaos out here, and I think he needed that in his life and his death,” Linda said.

“It’s wonderful,” Linda said. “I thank all of you.”