Opinion: Cannon AFB pilot will always be home through memorials

Andy Becker knew what he wanted to do with his life just one month into his senior year of high school.

He told his parents he wanted to enlist in the military and help defend the nation against those responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

That's exactly what he did. In seven years as a Special Operations pilot, he flew more than 450 combat missions in nine deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq and other danger zones. He was awarded 22 Air Force service medals, The Detroit News reported.

Becker's name should be familiar to eastern New Mexico residents because he paid the ultimate price for his country on March 14, 2017. That's when Becker, along with two other airmen stationed at Cannon Air Force Base - Kenneth Dalga and Frederick Dellecker - were killed in a training exercise near Clovis' airport.

Now generations to come will know of the sacrifice.

One memorial was built a little more than a year ago outside the Civic Center in Becker's hometown of Novi, Michigan. This fall, a two-mile stretch of U.S. Route 23 in Presque Isle County, Michigan, was named Major Andrew Becker Memorial Highway.

"Major Becker did whatever it took to protect his family, country and way of life," said Michigan state Rep. Kathy Crawford when she introduced legislation for the highway designation.

"Dedicating this portion of U.S. 23 to him would honor his memory and his sacrifice to our country."

The scenic tree-lined stretch of road held sentimental value for Becker and his family, who have been visiting the recreation area of Michigan's Lower Peninsula for 60 years, according to Sr. Airman Luke Kitterman, who wrote about the highway memorial.

"Andy was always proud to say he was a Michigan and Novi native," Becker's father, Gary Becker, told Kitterman.

"He always loved being able to come home whenever possible. Now, the state and city of his birth have established permanent memorials, and Andy will always be home."

Nice work, Michigan.

Thank you for your service, Andy.

Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the Clovis Media Inc. editorial board, which includes Editor David Stevens and Publisher Rob Langrell.