William J. Selvo, Chief of the Geotechnical Engineering Branch officer with the Memphis District, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, left, presents George D. Burlison, Sr. with an award honoring him for 32-years of civilian service with the Corp of Engineers. [Click to enlarge]

George Daniel Burlison, Sr. of Kennett, formerly of Hornersville has retired from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers after 32-years of service.

Burlison graduated from Senath-Hornersville High School in 1966 and attended Arkansas State University in the fall of 1967.

After one year at A.S.U., Burlison was hired by the Corps as a government inspector on a contract dredge for six seasons as a temporary employee.

In February of 1974, Burlison was hired as a permanent employee.

Burlison spent the next 10 years as a driller, working on truck mounted drill rigs for the Corp.

During this time he took rigs to Yuma, Ariz., Fort Knox, Kent., White Sands Missile Range, N.M., and McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan. to work on projects such as MX Missile Silos, Minute Man Missile Silos, and the Star Wars Ground Based Laser Project.

Among other jobs, Burlison worked nine seasons on the Bank Protection Party No. 8 mat sinking unit and Bank Protection Party No. 11 bank grading unit.

The last 14 years of his career Burlison spent his time operating a survey boat on the Mississippi River doing revetment, dike, and hydrographic surveys.

Running a 394-mile stretch on the river, Burlison and his Co-captain ran anywhere from Cairo, Ill., to the mouth of the White River, just above Rosedale, Miss.

At Burlison's retirement party, William J. Selvo, Chief of the Geotechnical Engineering Branch, awarded Burlison for 32-years of civilian service to the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers, by presenting him with glass statute. Burlison's name and dates of service were engraved on it along with a framed picture of his boat "Tiger Shark," with a Bench Mark Brass Cap with his name on it as well.

Among many other awards for achievement, Burlison was greeted by many friends and co-workers in which he had served with during his time of employment.

Selvo congratulated Burlison on his retirement, but told him the Corp would miss his enthusiasm.

"We could use a lot more people like George," Selvo said. "When work got slow on the river, George volunteered to go help the drill crew," he added. "We were blessed to have George, and his spirit a hard work will be missed by all who have known him and had the pleasure of working with him."