WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A true boilermaker will show his colors after Purdue's graduation ceremonies next week. Andy Bell is following in his father's footsteps.
"I'm a real boilermaker," said Andy Bell, Purdue Senior.
Bell is graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. The non-traditional student has worked as a boilermaker at coal power plant prior to coming to Purdue.
"I'm ready to go back to work," he said. "It's nice knowing that I've got a degree now and also a craft."
Bell knows what it is like holding the welding torch and living up to the university's long-held beginnings.
"Boilermaker term is thrown around a lot but no one really knows what it is," he said. "You know it's funny, I actually lived with Purdue Pete. He had absolutely no clue what a boilermaker actually was."
So what do boilermakers do? Bell said some boilermakers work in coal and nuclear power plants or in a shipyard welding and repairing, what else? Boilers.
As for Bell, he said he already has a job lined up with a company in Munster, Indiana.
Purdue's graduation ceremonies will be held May 15th-17th.
My son, Staff Sergeant Andrew Burke has been awarded the Bronze Star with attached V for Valor.
This was awarded to Andrew while serving with the 4th Infantry Brigade in Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq.
J. J. Burke
This is a picture of my three sons, my wife and me taken from one of their recent Martial Arts tournaments in Gig Harbor, WA. From left to right is me, young masters Orlando Jr. (16), J.D. (15), Andrew (14), and their proud mother.
In this tournament they competed with about 100 other students of the arts from various cities in the northwest region, including Canada. The Warrior Dojo displaying the Shaolin style martial arts which they belong to out of Puyallup, WA, entered my three boys into the competition. The results were all GOLD!!! Our oldest son scored a high of 9.9 in the weapons presentation. I am very proud of them!
Orlando Jeans
My dog Caesar and I went to Springfield, IL for the District 5 Manchester Terrier Specialty Dog Show on October 20th and the All Breed Dog Show on the 21st. On Saturday Caesar took Winners and Winners Dog and again on Sunday for two 3 point majors back to back.
To earn his championship he has to have 15 points. Of those 15 points he has to have earned two majors, which are the hard part. He now has 6 of his 15 points to earn his championship and his 2 Majors.
Caesar is a Toy Manchester Terrier. The breed is not very common and most people mistake them for Miniature Pinschers. Competition is scarce for this breed so I was elated, not to mention the fact that I showed him myself instead of a handler.
