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Jack Beck

By Christine Baldwin | Librarian

Jack Beck was born in New Jersey. He is one of three boys and one girl. Jack was always active as a youth. He was in football and wrestling, before he got interested in music. Jack actually lettered in playing the sousaphone and euphonium in high school, playing in concerts and the marching band. He was also active in his local church.

In 1971, at the age of nineteen, Jack decided that he would join the U.S. Air Force in their Delayed Enlistment Program. He then went to basic training at San Antonio, Texas with his MOS in administration. With Jack’s IQ of 136, he ended up graduating four weeks ahead of time. He was stationed at Keesler AFB, Mississippi and then at McGuire AFB, New Jersey. Jack was bored with his duties, so decided to volunteer for the honor guard. He spent the next seven years, at different bases, performing this service.

Jack’s favorite station was at Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan. He worked hard, but was able to do many volunteer jobs. He became a unit commissioner in the Boy Scouts, helped in the recreation department and was the youngest vice chairman in the NCOA. When he received their ‘Award of Excellence’, Jack was only the fourteenth person in the world to receive it.

Jack retired in 1991 and spent the next 23 years as an armed security officer at Fort Worth, Texas. When he was ready to retire again, after attaining the rank of lieutenant, he searched the internet and saw information about the Home. Remembering his contribution of $.50 a month, Jack made further inquiries and came to AFRH-W in 2014. Again keeping active, he volunteers in Public Affairs, helps on different committees and spent a year as the Commander of Post 70. He has loaned his honor guard uniform the last four years for the Air Force Birthday month in September for the Hall of Honors. He has also starting writing. His first book will be published in a couple of months and he is already working on his next two.