Spokane veteran reflects on war before his 100th birthday
SPOKANE, Wash. — A World War II combat veteran in Spokane spent Veterans Day, Nov. 11, reflecting on war, aging and a hope for a more united country as he prepared to celebrate his 100th birthday. Nonstop Local sat down with Bill Beckstrom, who moved into a senior community at 99 1/2 and brought reminders of his service with him. In Spokane, he reflected on how much the country had changed since his years on active duty. Asked about the milestone, Beckstrom pointed to both gratitude and the health problems he had lived through. "It's special to reach 100..." Beckstrom said. "I got on a fat-free diet..." "I've had 2 open hearts and stuff like that..." In Spokane, Mike Jones, a Vietnam combat veteran, described Beckstrom as humble and proud of his service. Jones also explained Beckstrom was two years removed from an honor flight. "A humble man, but he's proud of his service, as you can tell by his jacket and the cap that he wears..." Jones said. "We're not heroes. We're survivors..." "The heroes are the ones we honor on Memorial Day, that didn't make it home..." "He felt he didn't deserve it just like he didn't feel
