PGRNY Completed Missions

Dedication Mission

Sergeant Gary Beikirch
Memorial Highway Dedication

All Military Branches

Hilton, NY - 12/12/2023

Mission applies to the following Region(s):

Region 1, Region 2

About the Mission:

NYS Assemblyman Jensen introduced a bill (A.10110/S.9028) which memorializes State Route 18 (Latta Road) between Long Pond Road and State Route 390 as "Sergeant Gary Beikirch Memorial Highway”.

On October 15, 1973, US Army Sergeant Gary Burnell Beikirch was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.  The citation accompanying the award reads; "Sgt. Beikirch, medical aidman, Detachment B-24, Company B, distinguished himself during the defense of Camp Dak Seang. The allied defenders suffered a number of casualties as a result of an intense, devastating attack launched by the enemy from well-concealed positions surrounding the camp. Sgt. Beikirch, with complete disregard for his personal safety, moved unhesitatingly through the withering enemy fire to his fallen comrades, applied first aid to their wounds and assisted them to the medical-aid station. When informed that a seriously injured American officer was lying in an exposed position, Sgt. Beikirch ran immediately through the hail of fire. Although he was wounded seriously by fragments from an exploding enemy mortar shell, Sgt. Beikirch carried the officer to a medical aid station. Ignoring his own serious injuries, Sgt. Beikirch left the relative safety of the medical bunker to search for and evacuate other men who had been injured. He was again wounded as he dragged a critically injured Vietnamese soldier to the medical bunker while simultaneously applying mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to sustain his life. Sgt. Beikirch again refused treatment and continued his search for other casualties until he collapsed. Only then did he permit himself to be treated. Sgt. Beikirch's complete devotion to the welfare of his comrades, at the risk of his life, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army."

Sadly, Sergeant Beikirch passed on December 26, 2021, in Greece, NY.  Now that the signage has been installed, a dedication ceremony is being held in his honor with his family, loved ones and community members in attendance.

Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:

12/12/2023 at 05:30pm

Staging Location:

First Bible Baptist Church
990 Manitou Rd,
Hilton, NY 14468

Click here for a map.

Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Nigel Heaton
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Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines:

Updated 8 March 2022

Based on the most current COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: Protect Yourself and Your Family from COVID-19, and CDC Guidelines of 3 March 2022, going forward, the Lead Ride Captain for any mission will be responsible for determining whether PGR members will have to mask up or not. Please ensure that you have a mask with you, should the need arise, and respect the LRC’s decision in these matters.

Special Information:

The Ceremony will commence at 6:00 pm in "The Cove" one of several rooms for receptions within the church building. We will stand a flag line for this ceremony and a Military Honor Guard will be present.

Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?

no

Submitted by:

Nigel Heaton

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