SIKESTON - A dedication ceremony honoring Sgt. Michael J. Beckerman is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, at 1:30 p.m. at the Ste. Genevieve Community Center located at 21390 Highway 32 in Ste. Genevieve, Mo. Exit 143 on Interstate 55 will be named the Sgt. Michael J. Beckerman interchange.

Sgt. Michael J. Beckerman of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., of the 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky., was killed on Dec. 31, 2010 from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his dismounted patrol in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

Sergeant Beckerman was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Support Troop Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal (2 awards), Army Achievement Medal (2 awards), Army Good Conduct Medal (2 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star (2 awards), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Bar, Weapon: Rifle (Inscription: Rifle), Expert), and the Overseas Service Bar (5 awards).

 Sgt. Beckerman left behind his wife, Spc. Margaretta A. Beckerman, a daughter, Brianna, his father, Steve Beckerman, and his mother and stepfather, Lisa and Mark McGregor.

The Heroes Way Interstate Interchange Program legislation, passed in 2009, allows interstate interchanges to be designated for Missouri residents, who were in the armed forces, and were killed in action on or after Sept. 11, 2001, in either Afghanistan or Iraq. In 2011, Representative Linda Black sponsored legislation, which expands the original law to include state numbered highways.  Signed by Governor Jay Nixon, the law became effective on Aug. 28, 2011. 

The public and the media are invited to attend the event.

For more information on the dedication ceremony, please contact MoDOT's Customer Service Center at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (1-888-275-6636).

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