Memories

It seems like Gunnars entire life(as parents), we were constantly bitching at him, to take care of his property. He worked his ass off, in the melon patches...Get paid, sometimes(most of the time) on a daily basis, and be broke, again, the next day..One year Lee slowed him down enough, to buy him a shotgun, for part of his labor."You'll have something to show, for your work, for the rest of your life...."echoed through the garage, for an entire summer. Trust me, this is (was) a nice gun. A few years later, Gunnar went to basic training, @ Ft. Knox. About 6 weeks afterhe left, we found the shotgun. It wasn't until after Gunnar died, when Doug looked closely, at this shotgun, that we discovered how badly it had been used/abused...and then, Gunnar's sister, Jo, offered up a confession, about a 4wheeler ride, on gravel, spotlighting,the speed of the 4wheeler, a bump on the gravel road, an accidental discharge,(missed her by inches), and the shotgun sliding down the gravel road.....we have had it professional cleaned, and fixed as much as necessary, to prevent rusting.Someday, when Jo gives the shotgun, to her son, she can tell the story of the scratches..they'll always be there............young, and carefree...or reckless...dunno.....

Pheasant Opener

In less than one hour,there'll be lotza happy men, wearing ORANGE,& toteing shotguns, in the state of S.Dak..In the last 2 days, traffic has multiplied by 4....
Last night I "met up" with a few of the hunters that come back from Minnesota, every year..it's been 2 years, since I've seen these guys, and it's the first time we've seen each other, since Gunnar's death. I know how hard it is, this ''first time'' situation, and I want to thank you, all, for taking time, to share your memories. I appreciate the quiet, private conversations, laughter & tears, and I know, Gunnar held a special place, in your hearts, too. You watched him grow up.....remember the orange hair eppisode?? and yes, the$4oo car with $1000 stereo?and the thump, thump music we could hear, 1/4mile away?!
As the old saying goes, "Meet ya @ the clubhouse!"

Thought 4 Today

The nice part about living in a small town is that when I don't know what I'm doing, SOMEONE else surely does!!

Found a little plaque with the above quote.....it hangs, in the entryway, right under the sign that says...
NO WHINING!!

Marine Comfort Quilts

The 13th day, of every month always starts with the reminder that another month has gone by,since Gunnar died....and the big question...WHAT WILL HAPPEN, TODAY?? Well, 13Sept. was no exception...

A very special thank you, to the members of the Marine Comfort Quilt organization, for their time, energy, & devotion...I'm speechless...and again, I thank you!

9-11-2005

On Sunday, Sept.11,2005, in Mitchell, S.Dak. A ceremony was held, in memory of those who lost their lives in the terrorism attacks. Also honored were the South Dakotans, who've lost their lives,(since 9/11/2001) while defending America's Freedom .
The ceremony was held (South Dakota style) outdoors, sun shining(95 degrees)along with our famous wind(35mph, out of the South).
A Forestburg native, LaMoine Torgerson, was MC....(thanks!, LaMoine)
U.S.Sen. John Thune,R-SD was guest speaker, and his presentation was awesome.
Col.Tim Reisch gave a brief speech, as well as the Presentation of the Flags.
The 147th Army Band provided music before and durring the service.
And to the men & women, of the 665 Maintenance Company, the Folding of the Flag Ceremony was spectacular, and flawless, from where I sat.
Pastor George Sinkie...thank you...
To the Exchange Club of Mitchell...the Healing Field is truely a breathe taking sight, every time I see it. Thank you seems inadequate...
To the American Legion & Legion Auxillary.....I appreciate your dedication!~

just a picture

This is one of the most breathe taking sights I've seen.
The Healing Field
North Sanborn
Mitchell, S.Dak.


P.S. move over, Corn Palace!!

ANNOUNCEMENT

www.pfcgunnarbecker.com

turn up the volumn!!

Friends & Family alike are invited to visit the folowing sight.
it's been running on "the net", for approx. 1 hour....we will be adding to this sight, as time continues, so, PLEASE, check it out, from time to time!!!!

To a very special woman, Kerstin...thank you, for your wonderful acts of kindness, the countless hours you've spent, first putting together the bandits Tribute page, for Gunnar,
and now, as we embark on the PFC Gunnar Becker sight. Girlfriend,I love you!

Also...a very special thank you, to1SG Rodney McClinton,& Sabine, for having such wonderful taste, in friends(like Kerstin)!And, thank you, 1SG, for editing, and letting us hear Gunnar's famous words!!His entire world used to revolve, to the tune of 20 bucks!!

"got 20 bucks, for gas, MOM?"...and if I really wanted to see an attitude, I'd produce 20 one dollar bills!!
"BET YA, 20 bucks!"(chug beer,flat tire, lose "count", stacking/loading melons,we used to 'bet', just to pass the time, just so Gunnar could look @ me & say "I told ya so"...although, sometimes, Mom WAS right....like tires on the camaro...not once, but twice, in 2 weeks! What can I say???Just HAD to LOVE him!!
''WANNA RACE??......
there's not much else to say, except,THANKS!, again,guys! I love you, all...
............................................................................debey

Gunnar,The Mechanic

My Gunnar Child....the kid we all called McGyver...give him a roll of duct tape(at 3 years of age) and he'd "fix" for hours! Another of Gunnar's favorite childhood passtimes, was playing in the sandbox...and,how does a child get all of those tonka trucks hooked together??with the twist ties that are enclosed in garbage bags!! A couple of years ago, I overheard Gunnar say "Hey,Drew, go get some twist ties & I'll show you how to hook those John Deere tractors together!!" A few days later I heard Gunnar say "Drew! Get over here, I'm going to teach you how to fix the tire on your bike..you know when I get in the Army, I won't be here, to do it for you". I wish,now, that I would have had a camcorder ready & taped the entire proceedure(mostly for the conversation ).

Recently, we were honored, with a visit from JeffT., one of the "bandits". Jeff said"Nobody could make a greasegun work, like Becker! Gunnar would twirl the greasegun, in the air, & go to work."


"The vehicle had a problem with one of the engine fan belts. It kept falling off the pulleys. PFC Becker did all he could to fix it and we did complete our mission and actually made it back to FOB Scunion under our own power. What I remember most is I said Becker, do not worry about it, we got 5 hummers here. We will just hook it up and tow it in. PFC Becker said, “1SG I got you out here in my hummer and I will take you back in my hummer.” And with that he went to work and got everything back on and by the time the rest of the platoon came back from the mission, the hummer was fixed well enough to get us back. That is the kind of soldier Gunnar was. Always willing to go the extra mile and do all he could to make something work......
1SG Rodney McClinton

Gunnar learned the mechanical skills, working on farm equipment, with Roger, Shane, and Lee...his first car was a $400 chevy, he drove to school and to work, and "fixed" on, frequently..and of which Doug still says "I wonder how many of my missing tools were in that car, when it went thru the crusher?'' I've overheard the comment (many times) Gunnar could fix anything.

As we remodel our home, there have been several times someone has said "WHO fixed this, for you???"
"GUNNAR"
"That explains the duct tape"
the makeshift ladder going up into the loft of the barn will remain in the northeast corner, forever...as a quiet reminder, that upstairs was Gunnar's favorite place, to hide...
and just yesterday, walking around the edge of our property, i found a wad of'' sparkler'' rods, held together with black electrical tape...the remains of another sparkler bomb...

things you find

when "breaking into" your kids email account, after his death....It took me about 3 weeks, to figure out the password...i kept a list of the errors, just so i didn't lose time, repeating trials. i'd try, like 5 or 6 times, about 4 times a day, as i didn't want to send up red flags., and get nothing!

I did find that his email account was a lot cleaner, than his bedroom or cars ever were...
I found emailaddresses, mostly for his friends, here, BUT there were 2 addresses, belonging to men in gunnars platoon....I promptly sent a message, stating, "I am Gunnar's Mom. I've successfully broken into his email account. I would love to hear from you, SOME DAY, if its a week from now, a year from now, or 10 years from now". Both men responded........

there were a few emails, from other friends inwhich Gunnar had spoken about his preminissions, the gut feelings he would get, and the times they'd come true. the copy of the email, about moving to Mosul, and the "bad feelings" about this, was still there.

I have had uncontrollable "urges", where I go to the computer, and sit,and search, for hours. It started shortly after Gunnar's death, and was very intense, for a few weeks. It mellowed out, and i thought it had passed, until last week...i'm working on another entry, about that experience but, until then, check this out...
http://iraqwarnews.net/2005/08/of-poets-angels-and-fallen-heroes.html

Grandpa George

Grandpa George
28 November,1920-29 July2005


George Chester Moore
Born in Isabel, South Dakota on Nov. 28, 1920
Departed on Jul. 29, 2005 and resided in Eckert, CO.





George Chester Moore was born November 28, 1920 to Parley and Caroline Marie Schmidt Moore at Isabel SD.
He passed from this world on Friday, July 29, 2005 at the age of 84 years at the home of his son, George Jr. and Mickii Moore in Austin, Colorado.

He attended school at the Larson School north east of Woonsocket SD and graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1940.

On July 4, 1941 he and Shirley Jean McCoy were joined in marriage. To this union 8 children were added, five daughters and 3 sons. They are Dianna (Dean) Senska, Woonsocket, SD, Wanda Riches, Oak Park, MI, Sandra Renner, Fort Pierre, SD, Joyce Moore, Florence, CO, Carol, (Harlan) Snow, Fayetteville, AR, Richard & Michelle Moore, Welcome, MN and George Jr. & Mickii Moore, Austin, CO and Gene Moore, deceased.

Due to the lost of his father in 1941 he moved his mother, brother, wife and child from Woonsocket to California to work in an aircraft factory.

He then returned South Dakota, spending a brief time in business in Carthage, SD. He then moved to the family farm north of Forestburg, SD. This was their home until the passing of his wife of nearly 30 years in 1971. Shortly after her death he moved to Colorado where he could enjoy the hunting and fishing he dearly loved.

He is survived by his 5 daughters and 2 sons, 2 Sisters, Dorothy Volovitz & Hazel Williams; 4 sister in laws, 1 brother in law, 22 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

He was proceeded in death by his wife; his parents; 1 son, Gene; 4 brothers, Elmer, Paul, Johnny and Alvin; 1 Sister, Lena Moore Avery; a son in law and granddaughter, Donald and Valerie Riches; and a Great-Grandson, Gunnar Becker, killed in Iraq.

A Memorial Services will be held Saturday, August 13, 2005 at Restlawn Memory Gardens, Huron, SD at 10 am with Pastor Bill Miller officiating.





There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven;

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones & a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NIV

Enjoy Heaven, Grandpa,
and give Grandma & Gunnar a hug, from us!
We miss you, & will always love you.....debey

another monday

well, this is me...taken 3 july 2005...my 45th birthday...thank God, they only happen once a year!Today was reaslly hot (100), and humid...I didn't get as much done outside, and in the barn, as i would have liked, but gained a few feet in the house....still think we should've bought stock in rubbermaid totes...i need about 20, again...
doug seems to be healing, from surgery....never did lose his voice...

(If in my lifetime}

www.1id.army.mil/1ID/Deployment/Fallen_Soldier_Statue.htm


i figured that IF,someday, just ONE of the guys, in Gunnar's platoon, would knock on my door, and say."Hi!, my name IS(......), and I was serving with Gunnar, in Iraq, God would have answered my prayers! So, when I say, going to Germany, for the dedication of the fallen soldier statue/monument, @ Wurzburg, was a once in a lifetime thing, meeting 14 of the BANDITS, was truely a miracle! They are a wonderful bunch of men, with personalities, that do NOT quit....
We've heard from a few of the guys, since we've returned home,and now my prayers have changed, just a little bit....that SOMEDAY, they'll all make it, "home",to visit......

HAVIN' FUN, YET??????

This is what I'm looking at, over this mornings coffee....4 steel doors(new) are primed and 1st coat exterior paint applied...need attention, and need more paint..that's my responsibility......Awaiting a phone call, from surgical center, as Doug is scheduled for toncilectomy, tomorrow..that's AT LEAST10-14 days recovery...it's gonna be rough, on both of us...but so is illness....
so it's time to go to basement, and be the paintin lady...always have hated painting doors...so much for 3 aug, 2005...ps...doug=the husband man(age44)

just me

with comuter time on my hands...other things i should do, but i was stung by a whasp, yesterday, and the sting sight is swollen, and hurts like hell.(that would be my right elbow).

I'm going to use this sight, for all of the tmes i wakeup, in the middle of the night. To my friends, and family that tell me to quit talking about Gunnar, his life, or his death, or his stuff, or his friends, the message should be clear...DO NOT COME HERE. to those who want to know, WELCOME!!please observe the above rule!

Gunnar's websight:

www.b263bandits.com/memorial.htm

i'll be back, soon.