The Strength of Family
This is the talk given by Levi Milton at Decoration on May 4, 2025.
Good morning. What a beautiful day to be gathered here at Heflin Cemetery for our sacred tradition: Decoration Day. Under the blue skies of central Texas, amidst the wildflowers and weathered headstones, we come together to honor those who came before us, to weave their stories into our lives, and to renew the traditions that hold us so close to this sacred ground.
For as long as I can remember, I have always looked forward to Decoration, as I would for any major holiday. To me, it’s a celebration of family and community, and most importantly, eating good food. The families, with deep roots in this land, gather here each year to share stories, break bread, and strengthen the bonds that hold us together. Every time I come out to the ranch, it is a treat. Reconnecting with my family, Beth, Pierce & Simon, Seeing my grandparents, Pierce & Reba burns, hearing their stories, and catching up on our lives (And, of course, beating Reba at Rummikub). Seeing my Aunt & Uncle Liz & Todd Burns, with him greeting me with a massive bear hug, and me begging him to cook his famous Biscuits & Gravy and asking Liz to make her delicious cheese ball. Getting to see my cousins again, Katelyn, Victoria, Dan & many more, and breaking bread and catching up by the campfire.
These moments are treasures, reminding me that family is our anchor, especially when life’s storms hit. This land, with its stubborn beauty and spirit, has been home to the Burns family for almost two centuries. Our ancestors, like Colonel Simon Pierce Burns and his wife Sarah, arrived on prairies where grass towered over their horses, facing a frontier that demanded courage. They endured tragedies like the Great Depression, droughts, wars, and losses that tested their faith, yet they also would await moments like the smell of the spring rain, connecting with family over shared meals, manifesting hope of a better tomorrow. As Dr. Paul Burns said in his decoration speech in 1985, “It is a harsh land and a beautiful land... but it is our land, and we understand it; we love it.” Their lives were tough and full of unsuspecting surprises, but they ended up building a legacy that set the foundation for us to flourish today.
Growing up, the ranch was my playground. As a boy, I’d count the days until I could roast s’mores by the fire, drive the Polaris across the fields (perhaps a little too fast for Pierce Sr.), hunt with my brother, or just sit with my grandparents, listening to their stories. Those times taught me that family isn’t just about shared blood—it’s about shared moments, the ones that lift us up when we need it most.
This truth is captured in Ecclesiastes 4:12: “And if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” This verse speaks to the strength we find in family. When we combine our strengths and act as one cohesive unit, we are able to overcome obstacles that seem impossible for a single person. Just as Joseph in Genesis leaned on his reconciled family to overcome betrayal and famine, we rely on each other to face life’s challenges. When I’ve stumbled—whether grappling with the pressures of college or the uncertainties of my life —it’s been my family, the Burns clan, who’ve steadied me & made me feel at home. This cord, woven from our ancestors’ sacrifices and our shared commitment,holds us firm, no matter the difficulties. I am confident in saying that each and every member can attest to this, and reflect on their times in need, and how they relied on the support of their family to make it through those times.
Our Decoration Day rituals solidify this strength. When we place bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush on these graves, we honor the cycle of life and the family who carried us here. When we share this feast—fried chicken, homemade rolls, sweet tea, and Reba's famous pie—we nourish our bodies and our connections.
To my cousins and other young ones here, I say: You are the keepers of this cord. As the first of our cohort to speak at Decoration, I feel the weight and honor of standing where our elders have stood. The world you face is loud— social media, school, shaping your careers, dealing with economic uncertainties; do not be afraid to rely on this cord our ancestors have created for us, as they have relied on it in the past when dealing with the great depression, wars, & droughts.
Your family, this land, and this tradition are your strength. As we stand in this cemetery, feeling the cool breeze or the smell of the hint of rain, let’s hold fast to the rituals that bind us together. Let’s walk among the graves, read the names, and feel the presence of the Burns family and all others who helped shape us. Let’s share the stories—of Reba’s pie, Todd's biscuits & gravy, or the first child buried here in 1876, whose brief life began in this sacred place. And let’s leave here resolved to lean on each other, to live with purpose, and to steward this land for those who’ll gather here a century from now.
To those who rest at Heflin, to everyone who loved this land, I say, “Thank you.” To the Burns family who make every ranch visit a homecoming, I say, “Thank you.” And to the younger generation, I say, “Let’s hold our threefold cord tight.”
Thank you, and may God bless this gathering, this land, and all who call it home.
