I am saddened by recent events in the Bandit family.  For all who do not know our family was touched by the hand of the Lord.  His Angels came to take one of our own home.  I know PFC Gunnar D. Becker has gone to a better place but it still hurts to not have one of my soldiers around.  PFC Becker could always bring a smile to my face talking about his home life and all the things he had planned.  I remember one day I just happened to be out with his platoon and he was driving the hummer I was in.  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. 

The other thing I remember is his fun loving attitude.  Always smiling and trying to bring a smile to the face of others.  I learned a lot about Becker in that one day we were together in the hummer.  He could talk and talk and talk.  I love it when my soldiers have a lot to say, especially about their home life.  I saw his face light up when he talked about how things were in his hometown.  I could also see that light when he talked about what he had learned since being in the Army.  Gunnar was truly happy bringing happiness to others.

To the family and friends of Gunnar, I, like you, am deeply affected and saddened by this loss.  I and the rest of the Bandit family would like to send our condolences to his Mom and the rest of his family and friends.  Gunnar will always be in our hearts and on our mind.  We will never forget, nor will we allow others to forget, that Gunnar was our brother in arms, a friend, and truly a person who has touched the lives of the soldiers in Bandit. 

I know Gunnar is watching over us all now.  We will not fail him.  Here is a poem sent to the Bandit family from Gunnar’s Mom.  I hope she does not mind me sharing it with all.

            "Families share a special bond

That words alone can't quite describe

For each member plays their part

In contributing to family pride

Yet it won't matter years from now

Who said what or did what when

It's laughs we've shared & places we've been

That are remembered time and time again

Through special pictures and written words

Filled with warmth and family love

To be enjoyed by family here and now

And generations still to come."

Gunnar, I salute you, rest well my friend.

            To Gunnar’s Mom, Debey, the Bandit Family would like to dedicate this memorial page to you.  I hope you do not mind if Kerstin posts all things dedicated to Gunnar on this page.  Thank you for allowing Gunnar to be a part of my life and the lives of the soldiers in Bravo Company 2^nd Battalion, 63^rd Armored Regiment.  

1SG Rodney McClinton

A Mother's Memories

Through the Eyes of a Mother A Tribute to Pfc. Gunnar Becker
BY MELISSA KAUTH

On Thursday, Feb. 3rd, I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful new friend. A friend filled with laughter, love and a zest for life that most people long for. Even after only meeting this new friend once I know the impression he made will stay with me for a lifetime. My new friend’s name is Gunnar D. Becker and I met Gunnar ‘through the eyes of his mother’ Debey (Huber) Senska.
Two weeks prior to Gunnar’s birth, his mother was watching a movie and the producer’s name was Gunnar, and she liked it. She said, "Gunnar Becker, there won’t be two of them in kindergarten." So Gunnar was to be his name.
Jan. 22, 1985 was bitterly cold and the ice on the roads kept most people from venturing far, except for Gunnar. At 3:15 that morning he decided he was ready to come into this world. The two were immediately rushed to Aberdeen on a solid sheet of ice, arriving at the hospital with no time to spare as Gunnar was to be born at 4:44 a.m. The doctor arrived in the room just in time to catch. "He has been head strong since the day he was born and the attitude never left," said his mother."
Gunner was a doer whether it was starting the dog house on fire with Styrofoam or playing with his sister DiJo. Gunner and his sister Dianna Jo, (DiJo) being only 13 months apart were always together. They rode bikes together, went wading together and got the mail together.
Debey remembers one time the kids were playing outside as she was mowing lawn. They had been wading and Gunner took off his glasses because they had water spots and laid them in the grass. The kids then asked if they could ride their bikes. A short time later Gunnar came rushing back asking, "Mom how far have you mowed?" When she asked, "Why?" she realized she had mowed right over them.
His mother’s favorite memory is his obsession with water, "He loved water." One time as a four-year-old they were at the crossroads with a friend, and they decided to take the kids swimming to wear them out for the babysitter that evening. "I got Gunnar’s trunks on and set him in the chair and told him to wait there while I got DiJo’s suit on. Next thing I know my friend’s oldest son came carrying Gunnar, face beat red, spitting water. I said Gunnar I thought I told you to wait? Gunnar answered, "But Mom I only went to where it said four and I’m four years old, so I can go where it says four." Debey had never thought for a second that teaching her son his numbers could possibly kill him.
‘Two years later we went camping at a campground that had a swimming pool. Gunnar says, "I promise Mom, I promise we won’t even go in the fence." A short time later a Good Samaritan came carrying Gunnar back. Yes, he went inside the fence and got pushed into the six- foot, shoes and all.
When Gunnar enlisted in the service three of his close friends did also: Jake Sponsel, Derrick Parce, and Josh Wolf. All the boys called her Mom and all call her often, Gunnar was always the one that called at five in the morning. He loved to wake his mom up. To this day she still finds her self waking at 5:00 a.m. All of the boys worked in the melon patch with Debey. When Debey said goodbye to the boys in the fall of 2003, she had no idea that only three would be coming home alive in the end.
There was never a dull moment in Gunnar’s life. In the seventh grade he learned if he rode his bike across town and met the mailman he could get the deficiency slip before his mother had a chance to read it. His mother said, "There were a few moments that you had to prove you were the parent, but, there was truly never a dull moment."
His dreams lay with law enforcement. When he was young he would always run to the Sheriff’s car wanting to know how old he had to be to ride in it and how old he had to be to turn on the light. Gunnar's passion was cars. He loved to drive fast and halways did.
Debey says this to other parents, "I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. The army changed Gunnar, it changed all the boys. They have all grown so much in the last year and a half."
"I have always said if God wanted Gunnar dead he would take him." There were many times in the past that Gunnar could have lost his life. In the summer of 2002, Gunnar and his friend Derrick rolled a pickup with a a 250-gallon drum of diesel fuel in the back end. Both boys made it out fine. "Every day we have had from that day forward has been a blessing." Many times people have asked Debey how she could handle having a son in Iraq, her answer was always the same, "If God had wanted him dead it could have already happened." Gunnar had told himself that the hardest thing about being in Iraq was watching the 12-year-olds running around with assault weapons.
Pfc. Gunnar was stationed with the 2nd Platoon ‘Bandits" Bravo Company 2/63 AR Battalion in Vilseck, Germany. He was deployed to Iraq on Feb. 14, 2004.
On Jan. 13 Gunnar was called to active duty in heaven. He had lost his life in the war in Iraq. His death was not in vain, he died doing what he loved protecting his country.
The support since Gunnar’s death has been overwhelming. His parents have received cards from all over the world. Just the other day they received a card from Las Vegas, Nevada simply signed, thank you for allowing your son do die for us, Mr. and Mrs. Fellow American. With part of Gunnar’s memorial money the family is starting the Pfc. Gunnar Becker Scholarship fund at Sandborn High School.
If Debey could talk to her son one more time she would have this simple statement for him, "I miss you baby boy."
There have been three sites set up on the internet were people can go and share stories and just thoughts of Gunnar. They are: www.fallenheroesmemorial/cin/oif/beckergunnard.html; www.b263bandits.com and gunnar@ santel.net. With the memories placed on these sites the family is composing a scrapbook honoring Gunnar and his life.
I am so proud to have met this new-found friend of mine – Pfc. Gunnar Becker, unfortunately Gunnar lost his life in the war against Iraq on Jan.13. Even though he is not with us in body, I know he will be with all of us in spirit. Gunnar asked nothing in return except friendship and understanding. I ask you to remember him always for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.
God Bless You Gunnar Becker. I can hear the laughter rolling from heaven now.

Copied from The Redfield Press 16 E. 7th Ave    

Redfield, SD 57469  (Article sent by email from Debey)

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MSNBC Soldier Killed

A South Dakotan was killed this week in Iraq.

Obituaries

Gunnar Duane Becker

Forestburg - Gunnar Duane Becker was born January 22, 1985 in Aberdeen, SD to Debey (Huber) Senska and Duane R. Becker.

He attended school in Woonsocket K through 5th grade and 6th through 12th grade at Artesian-Letcher, SD, a member of the graduating class of 2003.

During the years growing up near Forestburg, he worked as a farmhand for Shane Baysinger and Roger and Lee Hinker. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in June of 1999 and was a member of the Forestburg Lutheran Church.

Gunnar joined the United States Army and received basic training at Fort Knox, KY, graduating on December 17, 2003. He was a member of the 2nd Platoon "Bandits", Bravo Company 2/63 AR Battalion. He was stationed in Germany until being deployed to Iraq on February 14, 2004.

PFC Gunnar D. Becker passed away on January 13, 2005.

Gunnar is survived by his mother, Debey Senska, and his stepfather, Doug; one sister, Dianna Jo Becker; his father, Duane Becker; two half brothers, Jesse Huber and Derik Eberlee; one half sister, Stephanie Bonin; his grandparents, Mike and Joann Huber of Doland, SD and Dean and Dianna Senska of Woonsocket, SD; several nieces and nephews; and numerous aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Harold and Vera Becker, and one half sister, Dedree Becker.

There will be a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2005, at the Forestburg Lutheran Church, Forestburg, SD.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2005, at Sanborn Central School in Forestburg, SD.

Pastor Bill Miller, Woonsocket, SD, and Pastor Vaughn Nesheim, Colorado Springs, CO, will officiate.

Pallbearers will be Lee Hinker, Blaine Byrd, Leon Fredrichs, Rick Tuffs, Thad Baysinger, Jeff Hinker, John Doren and Mark Snedeker. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Evers, Lyle Collins, Roger Hinker, Cory Collins, Brad Becker, Dan Mueller, Cory Olsen, Bill Hein, Nick Diede, Tom Scott, Richard Miller, Shane Baysinger, 2nd Platoon "Bandits", Bravo Company 2/63 Battalion, Lt. Phelan, Platoon Leader, Sergeant First Class Goins, Platoon Sergeant, Staff Sergeant Theal, Staff Sergeant Simmons, Staff Sergeant Blackman, Staff Sergeant Parker, Sergeant Mallari, Sergeant Grasmeder, Sergeant Smalls, Sergeant Cullinan, Specialist Ortiz, Specialist Norman, Specialist Burrell, Specialist Hebert, Specialist Hill, Specialist Smith, Specialist Herrington, PFC Rodriguez and Private Taylor.

"And when he gets to heaven to Saint Peter he will tell

`Just another soldier reporting, Sir. I have served my time well.´"

Interment will be at Silver Creek Cemetery, with military rites, in Forestburg, SD.

A lunch will be served following graveside services at the Sanborn County 4-H building; all are invited to attend.

Twenty years ago God lent Gunnar to us. Now on his birthday we must give him back, along with most of the love he generated among us.

We shall each cherish a small spark of this love and rekindle it in our hearts to share with others.

We have been very proud of Gunnar. Now in the coming days and years, we must strive to make Gunnar very proud of us.

Good-bye and Godspeed, Gunnar. We love you!!!

In lieu of flowers, a memorial scholarship is being established in Gunnar´s name, The Gunnar Becker Scholarship Fund, 250 N. Douglas Street, Forestburg, SD 57314.

Published on January 21, 2005.

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