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By Appointment Only 9581 E. 100 N., Akron, IN 46910 E-mail: tom@tombauterscpa.com
ǯ ǨǨ Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Vol. 65, Issue No. 24
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Honor Flight brings closure to Rochester veteran
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In 1975, Sergeant Fritz Beckman, known by his middle name, “Rob,” flew back to the United States from Germany, where his duties included serving in the American border garrisons at Bad Hersfield and Bad Kissingen, within sight of the Soviet zone, the first line of defense in Europe during the Cold War. It was two years after the end of direct U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. The days of returning servicemen being greeted with insults and abuse from anti-war protestors was still fresh in the minds of many, and at the airport, officials suggested to Beckman he change out of his uniform before disembarking. Later, in 1978, he quietly returned to civilian life with his new wife Linda. Forty-four years later, Linda arranged for Rob, now Rochester American Legion Post 36 commander, and his older brother John, to receive the hero’s welcome they deserved, by booking them on an Honor Flight to visit the Washington D.C. memorials June 3-4. “She did it all for us,” said Rob of Linda’s work organizing the required paperwork. Honor Flights is a national nonprofit organization started in 2005 with the goal of transporting military veterans at no cost to the see the memorials of the wars in which they fought. Roughly 245,000 veterans have taken part in this unique experience. Due to the seniority system, John, who served from 1964-67 had been eligible for a while. “He turned down two flights to go with me,” Rob explained. Then COVID-19 hit, and flights were grounded until April 2022. The brothers were finally able to join 84
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fact, the Beckman brothers’ guardians were also brothers, Dave and Dennis Dunten. Dave, Rob’s guardian, has a home on Lake Manitou. “It was brothers with brothers.” At this point it should be noted that on top of evContinued on page 5
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