Brookings Register | Pair of South Dakota bridges to be dedicated to fallen heroes

PIERRE — The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a pair of state bridge dedication ceremonies to honor fallen heroes.

Beckers

U.S. Army Specialist 5 John P. Beckers will be honored in a ceremony on Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. CDT at the VFW in Burke on Main Street.

The Ponca Creek bridge on state Highway 47, near Burke, will be dedicated to SP5 Beckers.

Spc. Beckers distinguished himself by heroic actions on Sept. 17, 1968, while serving with Company D, 65th Engineer Battalion in the Republic of Vietnam. While on a combat operation, his unit came under intense enemy fire and sustained several casualties. With complete disregard for his own…