Army National Guard Spc. Sarah Beckstrom laid to rest with full military honors

GRAFTON, W.Va. (WVVA/Gray News) - A West Virginia Army National Guard member was laid to rest this week after losing her life last month in a Washington, D.C., shooting

U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, was laid to rest with full military honors on Tuesday at the West Virginia National Cemetery.

Beckstrom died Nov. 27 after being fatally wounded the previous day in a shooting attack that also injured Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, near the Farragut Square Metro Station in Washington.

Family members, friends, National Guard colleagues and elected officials attended the interment to honor her service and sacrifice.

111th Engineer Brigade Chaplain Maj. Christopher Bennett presided over the ceremony. He reflected on the meaning of the cemetery, saying that plots there are earned and that Beckstrom earned her place among those who served.

“No plots in the West Virginia National Cemeteries can be purchased. Each must be earned,” he said.

The service drew a large contingent of dignitaries, including West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, U.S. senators, Congress members and military leaders.

Beckstrom was born on May 17, 2005, and graduated with honors from Webster County High School in 2023. She enlisted in the West Virginia Army National Guard soon after graduation and completed basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

In August, she and members of the West Virginia National Guard were mobilized to Washington as part of Operation D.C. Safe and Beautiful, a Guard effort to provide security at key locations in the D.C. area.

Unit members remembered Beckstrom as a quiet professional who put others first, and family described her as “a gentle soul who loved and lived deeply.”

She was enrolled at Glenville State University and planned to pursue studies related to mental health.

Family members said Beckstrom loved animals and music, enjoyed museums and arcade games, and often carried snacks for squirrels she encountered.

Beckstrom’s military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, West Virginia Legion of Merit, the D.C. Distinguished Service Medal and the D.C. Humanitarian Service Medal.

Funeral services were provided by Dodd & Reed Funeral Home. Military honors were rendered by the 863rd Military Police Company and the West Virginia National Guard.

A resolution honoring Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe, introduced by Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Jim Justice, passed the U.S. Senate unanimously earlier this month.

The resolution recognizes their service and sacrifice and recounts their paths to military service and community contributions.

After the funeral, Morrisey issued a statement praising Beckstrom’s service and expressing condolences for her family.

“Sarah served her state and nation with courage well beyond her years. Taken from us far too soon, she will always be remembered fondly by the West Virginia National Guard and by the people of our state,“ the West Virginia governor said.