Tears flowed and laughs were shared as former Oxford resident Burt Biebuyck was promoted to the rank of colonel in the United States Army on Monday.
Surrounded by friends, family, past school teachers and coaches, Biebuyck, 44, took his oath of office at a special ceremony held at St. Joseph School in Lake Orion.
Brigadier General Michael McDaniel was also present at the ceremony and shared with the audience how the rank of colonel is represented by the eagle.
‘If you think of the eagle you think of the eye of the eagle,? he said. ‘To us in the military, it represents the idea of having a strategic vision. It’s a war of ideas and we have to take command of those ideas.?
Biebuyck, who will be stationed at Fort Meade, MD with his wife, Lisa, and children, Gavin and Cameron, grew up in Oxford and attended St. Joe’s until the eighth grade. His son Nathan, 20, is serving in the airforce and is stationed at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
He finished his high school career at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s before beginning his military career as a cadet at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point in 1982.
Since then, he’s received six promotions to various ranks, such as second and first lieutenant, captain, major and lieutenant colonel.
His awards and decorations include the the Over Seas Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, just to name a few.
He will serve as colonel of the Chief, Policy and Plans Division, J5, Joint Functional Component Command, Network Warfare at Fort Meade.
‘Just as there is no symbol more all-American than the eagle, there is no soldier more all-American than your all-American Burt Biebuyck,? McDaniel said.
Biebuyck thanked his family and friends for everything they’ve sacrificed and helped him with throughout his 26 years of service.
‘No military family succeeds without an incredible extended family,? he said. ‘I owe it to them, the discipline, and the work ethic that I learned at home that enabled me to do the things that I’ve done in the military.?
While most civilians think the risks involved in serving our country would weigh heavy on one’s mind, Biebuyck said it’s not as significant as missing time with his large family.
Since he began his career, he’s missed 22 births, 181 anniversaries, 830 birthdays, 18 Christmas? and numerous deaths of family and friends.
‘It’s doubly hard not to be here to say good-bye or pay your final respects to the people when you lose them in your family,? he said.
Biebuyck is the son of William and Dolores Biebuyck, of Oxford.