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 safety, he fearlessly braved the enemy shelling as he carried his wounded comrades to safety. Throughout the entire battle, Beckers continually exposed himself to the devastating enemy fire as he assisted his injured comrades. His valorous actions contributed immeasurably to the success of the mission. Beckers was killed by enemy action on June 6, 1969.

Lippman

The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a state bridge dedication ceremony to honor U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gordon J. Lippman.

The ceremony will be Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. MDT at St. Rose of Lima Community Hall in Hill City, 305 Pine St.

The Spring Creek bridge on U.S. Highway 16 near Hill City will be dedicated to Lippman.

Lippman devoted his life to the Army, serving as a paratrooper during World War II, a company commander in the Korean War, and executive officer during the Vietnam War. He grew up in Lemmon, eventually moving to Hill City. On Dec. 11, 1965, Lippman was serving as executive officer of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Third Brigade, First Infantry Division. On that day, Viet Cong snipers infiltrated his camp perimeter near Lai Khe, South Vietnam, and while Lippman attempted to locate the snipers to direct defensive fire, he was shot and mortally wounded.

Naming bridges in honor of our combat veterans who died while serving their country is an initiative of Gov. Kristi Noem and the South Dakota departments of military, transportation, and veterans affairs.

“Whenever and wherever this nation has called, in times of darkness and danger, as well as in times of peace and prosperity, veterans have been there and have proudly carried the torch of liberty for all to see,” said Greg Whitlock, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs.

“Our fallen heroes are no longer with us, but their memories live on in the hearts of their loved ones and our state,” said Whitlock. “Naming our South Dakota bridges in honor of our fallen gives us the opportunity for remembrance, reflection, and respect — for honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to this nation. They cherished liberty and loved freedom enough to lay down their lives to preserve our way of life.”