Major (Ret.) Joseph E. Burlas, III, age 56 of Columbia, Maryland, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. He was born on March 15, 1959 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
After graduating from Leavenworth High School, he graduated the United States Military Academy (West Point), earning a Bachelor's Degree and a commission in the United States Army as 2nd LT. in 1982. During his Army career, he served as a Field Artillery officer, and later Public Affairs Officer while being stationed with his family in Germany and several states. After leaving active duty in 1993, Joe continued his service to our country in the U.S. Army Reserves as the Commander of the 356th Broadcast Public Affairs Detachment and became an Army Civilian, working as a journalist for the Fort Meade based newspaper 'SoundOff!', then later for Army News Service in the Pentagon. Between 1994 and 2002, he won over 15 national awards for journalism including: The George Washington Chapter Journalist of the Year, the MDW Journalism Civilian Journalist of the Year, and multiple Department of the Army Keith L. Ware awards, for excellence in journalism. Joe retired from the Army Reserves at the rank of Major in 2003.
He is remembered for his faith in God, devotion to his family, and the love for his country. Major (Ret.) Burlas is survived by his wife Erika Burlas; mother Elizabeth Burlas; his four children Joseph Burlas IV, Veronika Conner (Spouse Ray Conner), James Burlas (Spouse Kristin Burlas), and Rachel Burlas; and his three grandchildren Joseph Burlas V, Braedan Conner, and Natalie Conner ; his brother Robby Burlas (Spouse Anne Burlas); his sister Becki Shannon (Spouse Pat Shannon).
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Joe at Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD on Thursday, July 23 at 6 PM. Christian inurnment will follow at a later date.
Tributes
Leave a tributeI am the earthy shadows, I washed by his thoughts
Soft paths, with seeking calm walk
Do you feel the walls, see the white buffalo crossing?
Or do you feel the washed sunlight?come dance with me in warrior sounds
The sweet cries of the timber wolf, asking for the spirit to some
Dance with me through each small sparrows wing
The warriors touch me through you, feeling the waking love
The flames sat a blaze in ancestry fires
Dreams in broken silence, each candles journey
Come home , play the sepia soulful spirits lighted drums
Canto Hondo, each beat of his life
To our forever BrotherJoe
For Joe love you Debby bobby
Lasting beauty comes shining through
Flowing in each feathery knot
Tied to each heart, radiant glow
Echoes sounds to all who feel his memories
Silvery angels wings span high
Shining from heaven above, soft light
Yearning for each soul gliding so
Orbs shall endeavor each clouds lining , beauty gathered for all to know
Softly angels wings russtle
Summer moons kiss glistening
While sleeping her heart waits
Wonderment in all twilight petals, skies, spirit be
Each tree willows the branch to stay
Kindred totems~~~~
Gentle moons peaks kindred shawls
Hopes and dreams shed the tears to star anew
Each celeste shall breathe softly to
Our hearts carry love
Kindred totems~~~~
Each dawns rose shall dance with falling words
With ethereal opening the astral journey begins
Shifting the heavens gates to see the live growing lives
Hearts utterances, as the quite stillness is solace in mother earths smiles
Love you Joe and will always rember your heart love sissy and the family in our hearts
My angel wings span sheltering amethyst teardrops
Threads woven through each evoke Constance
Painted in master clay, each carried in his llife
Emotions carries my signature, soft aligned
Breathtaking plight heavens voyage
we miss you so much , sending angels hugs to heaven
Leave a Tribute
I miss you more and more each day my beautiful love and soulmate. I am here my love waiting to be released from my earthly work, to be finally with you again. I am so proud of you and so in love with you. Be free and fly high my bestest friend. I love you, i love you forever!!!!