Jan/Feb 2009 - Korean War Veterans Association

An MIA Who Is Really Not MIA
By Neil M. McCain
AVeterans Memorial opened in White City, Oregon 11
November 2008. One family, the Beckers, had donated a
large sum of money. They were hoping to see the name
of Roscoe Becker, a family member, on the marble memorial.
They attended the opening and searched for his name, but they
could not find it.
Joan Becker called me and said she was in tears at the omission.
In fact, the whole family, which stretched across Oregon,
was disappointed. One of Roscoe’s brothers called to tell her that
a Korean War veteran who had been interviewed on a TV program
in Grants Pass might be able to help find Roscoe and make
a memorial about him. He was referring to me, since I had just
been interviewed about the Korean War.
She was able to catch the interview at 11 p.m. that night. She
wanted to call me right then, but her husband said to wait and call
in the morning. So, at 7 a.m. the next morning she called and told
me her story. She revealed that the whole family was heartbroken.
I asked her for his last name as we were speaking, and did a
little on-line research.
I quickly found his name and his high school picture on a
website. I read to her the information posted, and I promised her
I would build a memorial for her and place it in a file. She offered
me profuse thanks.
This was a unique case. Somehow, several lists missed
Roscoe. Even I had zero lost in Tillamook County. But, that oversight
has been rectified, and there is now a memorial to Roscoe
Becker.
Neil M. McCain, Vice Commander
Department of Oregon, (541) 660-6104
21
The Graybeards
January – February 2009