At right: “Blaze of
Light” by Marcus
Brotherton with
Gary Beikirch
was released
March 24, 2020.
At left: Gary
Beikirch and
Marcus Brotherton.
spit upon and harassed for being a veteran, so he decided
to “drop out” of society. He hiked far out into the Northern
Appalachians and for two years lived in a cave. Inside that
cocoon of seclusion, Beikirch endured frigid winters in the
snow and ice, bathed in streams and shouted to the walls
about all the rage and dismay inside of him.
But after a surprise message called him to the White
House, Beikirch’s life would never be the same.
“The Medal of Honor Society is comprised of a highly
elite group of American heroes,” Oscar-nominated actor
Gary Sinise said in praise of the book. “What Gary Beikirch
did to receive his medal is unforgettable — and the story of
what he overcame afterward is as big and moving as they
come.”
Beikirch eventually earned a bachelor’s degree form
White Mountain Seminary and became an ordained minis-
ter, then received a second bachelor’s degree in psychology
and sociology from the University of New Hampshire and
a master’s degree in educational counseling from the State
University of New York-Brockport. He and his wife live in
New York and enjoy visits to their three children and 14
grandchildren.
The biographer Beikirch worked with on “Blaze of
Light,” Marcus Brotherton, is a bestselling author with
credits on more than 25 books. The day of the book’s re-
lease, it was ranked the No. 1 new release among Vietnam
War biographies on Amazon.
“What Gary Beikirch
did to receive his medal
is unforgettable.”
Salutes to
America’s
Heroes
We thank you
for your
bravery
and service
to our
country!
MEDAL OF HONOR 2 0 2 0
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