Northwest Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today, June 14th to honor a fallen U.S. soldier.
Army Cpl. Eldert J. Beek, of Sibley, was reported killed in action in late 1950 during the Korean War. He is back home 71-years later. Cpl. Beek was 20-years-old when his unit was attacked on December 1, 1950 by enemy forces near the Chosin reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered.
Fifty-five boxes purported to contain the remains of American service members killed during the Korean War were turned over by North Korea in 2018 following the summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. Beek’s remains have since been identified.
Cpl. Beek will be buried Monday morning at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George, with full military honors by the Iowa National Guard.
Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.
