In 1970, Captain Burk was the sole survivor of 14 passengers in a military plane crash. The passengers and crew were enroute to Spokane, Washington, to conduct an operational analysis. Ascending through 3000 feet, the aircraft experienced rapid de-compression, crashing in the hills near Napa, California. He suffered second and third degree burns over 65% of his body, a fractured spine, severed and crushed vertebrae and other internal injuries. He spent 20 months in the hospital and was medically retired from the Air Force in 1971.

..."I have been blessed to accomplish in life what I’ve accomplished and it was a result of what happened," Burk said. "And I’ll continue to work on turning the negative into a positive.

"I choose to see myself as a survivor and part of the solution, not as a victim and part of the problem," Burk said. "Do I always succeed?" No. Do I stop trying? Absolutely not! The worst thing that’s going to happen to me has already happened. Nothing has come close..."

..."If I would have passed that bridge with those other 13 guys, I would have left knowing I had impacted a few lives. But when I pass that bridge the second time, I hope I will have made a difference in a lot more lives. That's why I survived. To make a difference."

INSPIRING MESSAGES FROM GEORGE BURK:

FAITH, POSITIVE THOUGHT, & PRAYER

HOW MY LIFE EXPERIENCES SHAPED MY LIFE

LIFE'S LESSONS-LEARNING FROM A LONG CAREER

Author: "The Bridge Never Crossed - A Survivor's Search for Meaning" ISBN 1-888725-16-8

Order from the publisher via a link at Mr. Burk's web site, or from www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com.

George Burk is a plane crash and burn survivor, motivational speaker, trainer and author. He can be reached at www.georgeburk.com or 800-769-8568.

On Inspiration:
Inspiration enters at the border between hard work and laziness
Lu Juren Poet