Thomas and I met in 1998. He was tough, he was brave, he was impossibly stubborn, he had a great sense of humor. If he loved you, you knew it. If he said he’d be there, you could count on him. He was a man. He started at Homeland but ended up at CIA. He served in some of the most dangerous places America is engaged. He loved his work, but it cost him a lot. We lost him suddenly this past November. I am still so angry about it I can barely see straight sometimes. But he had a life doing what he dreamed of. He traveled the world and loved it. He saw more and did more in a short time than most men ever do. Most of all, he was my friend. You don’t get many friends like this over a lifetime. So I’m not really angry. I’m just grateful I met him. Here’s the other thing: he was a Hillsdale guy to the bone. He loved the place. We are trying to raise $50,000 for a scholarship in his name. If you can give something, his parents and I would be grateful. If not, just share this, please. I tell everyone who ever asks me about him: you’d have loved him if you’d known him. https://www.givecampus.com/schools/HillsdaleCollege/thomas-burke-memorial-scholarship/?a=1002852#donations #hillsdalecollege #hillsdale #thomasburke