The smart, perceptive little four-year-old boy watched the tragic images on TV and had a hard time accepting that they were real---and not a movie or action-adventure television show. He heard and felt the anxious buzz of worried conversations as adults everywhere attempted to understand and cope with the enormity of that seminal moment in American history. His parents struggled to explain what was happening, and why. 

It was the first time that young Maddox---and a whole generation of American children---was introduced to war, to a horrible man named Osama bin Laden, and the U.S. armed forces who protected the precious lives of Americans every day. Maddox decided, gradually over time, that he wanted to be grow up to be a protector of his family and all Americans. And that's exactly what he did.

Over the next few years he would come to understand and appreciate the different branches of the military.  The Marines, especially, left an impression on this young man that would last a lifetime.  Maddox joined the ROTC program in anticipation  of his future career, and graduated from Grovetown High School earlier this year.

On December 11^th, 2015,  Maddox Hughes Burdeshaw graduated from boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina as a proud member of the United States Marine Corps.  During his time at Parris Island, Maddox was selected to be a squad leader and qualified as an “Expert Shooter” on the rifle range.    His family could not be more proud.  And neither could his nation.

Maddox's dad, Jim Burdeshaw, is the shop manage at the C&C Automotive Downtown Augusta location.  C&C Automotive is a Certified Premier Provider in the CSRA HOME CONNECTIONS Program,  a subsidiary of CENTURY 21 Larry Mille Realty.

In January, 2016, Maddox reports to his first official duty station in Pensacola, Florida.  In addition to his father, immediate family members include: Lori Burdeshaw (stepmother); Ashley Caughman (mother); Pat Caughman (stepfather); sisters Hannah and Meaghan Burdeshaw; brother Harrison Burdeshaw; fiancee' Megan Nettles; paternal grandparents, Chi and Harlan Burdeshaw;  maternal grandparents, Sandy and Buddy Ivey.

"Semper fi, Marine."