Gracia enjoys the role of “Lola” to her grandchildren and is becoming accustomed to the unique culture that is Florida where she now resides.

This month marks the one-year anniversary of the deaths of Chris Lorek and Stephen Shaw. Her children are now grown and have families of their own. How would I get into the FBI Hostage Rescue Team Do I need to go into military special ops If so, I was planning on joining either the Armys Special Forces. Steve Shaw, left, and Chris Lorek were special agents and members of our Hostage Rescue Team. Through the benevolence of many in the community and beyond, a lovely home was built in Rose Hill to enable Gracia to provide a home for her family.įollowing her return home Gracia authored two books, In The Presence Of My Enemies, and To Fly Again. Wounded, but alive, Gracia was rescued and returned home under a national spotlight.ĭuring this time her children, Jeff, Mindy and Zach were living with grandparents and attending school in Rose Hill, Kansas. Tragically, Martin was killed during the gunfight.

On the afternoon of June 7, 2002, over a year since their abduction, the Philippine military attempted another rescue. Soon after the events of September 11, the news media took a greater interest in Gracia and Martin’s plight and kept their story in the national headlines. Kim Hawthorne (Special Agent Clara Tompkins)Lillo Brancato (Special Agent Tom Monteleone)Ernie Hudson Sean Maher Michael Rooker (Special Agent Nicholas Roberts)Alejandro Abellan (Spanish FBI. From November 2001, only the Burnhams and one other hostage remained in captivity.įor more than a year, and under the total control of their captors, they were constantly on the move living in primitive conditions in the jungle, evading capture from the Philippine military, enduring gun battles, and witnessing unspeakable atrocities committed by the men of Abu Sayyaf Group. In the ensuing months, some of the hostages were killed, but most were set free. In addition to the Burnhams, the group seized several more guests and took them to Basilan Island, an ASG stronghold. Since September 11, 2001, which of the following attack methods has NOT been attempted. On May 27, 2001, while celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at Dos Palmas Resort off Palawan Island, the Burnhams were taken captive by a militant group of Muslims called the Abu Sayyaf Group. Expect to be handcuffed and detained by hostage rescue team. Only 200 people have ever been in the F.B.I.s elite Hostage Rescue Team - its most highly trained and specialized squadron. Gracia served in various roles supporting the aviation program and also home-schooling their children – all of whom were born in the Philippines. Gracia Burnham is the widow of Martin Burnham and the mother of Jeff, Mindy, and Zach.įor 17 years, Gracia and Martin served with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines where Martin was a jungle pilot delivering mail, supplies, and encouragement to other missionaries, and transporting sick and injured patients to medical facilities.

2001 hostage rescue team