By Judy Christie

Thirty-nine years ago in December, Brig. Gen. Leslie E. “Les” Beavers, USA (Ret), led a team to identify “with compassion and dignity” the bodies of 248 soldiers and eight crew members killed in a plane crash in Gander, Newfoundland, a chartered flight filled with soldiers returning from a peace-keeping mission in Sinai.

“Every year at this time of year, I still think of it,” Beavers, 87, said. “Life is precious. It can end in a second, particularly when serving in uniform.”

The sacrifice of those who died that day, plus his encounters with veterans and their families in other assignments, guided him after his military retirement to a 25-year second career: “Taking care of those who serve.”

“Serving veterans and their families has been an honor,” he said. “It provides a way to advocate for and pay back those who are currently serving and those that have served our great country.”

His decorated Army career of more than 27 years included combat duty in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive; more than six years of command at the battery, battalion, division artillery, and Army post level; and three tours in Washington, D.C.

Beavers, a MOAA Life member, “gravitated to MOAA” because of a belief in its mission. “I find that MOAA is really a critical organization in advocating for our servicemembers, active and retired,” he said.

When the Bluegrass (Ky.) Chapter was in danger of closing, he stepped in to serve six terms as president. He's now wrapping up a three-year term as president of the Kentucky Council of Chapters.

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Fellow MOAA member Maj. Marlan “Marty” Pinkston, ARNG (Ret), is inspired by how Beavers values treating veterans well -- both for their good and for strong national defense.

“I am totally convinced he has done more for veterans than any other single individual in our entire country,” Pinkston said.

Beavers was the first commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, a 10-year job.

“I started with a clipboard and a pencil and built a department,” he said. “I am proud of what we have done for Kentucky veterans.”

His accomplishments include improving state veterans homes and burial services in veterans cemeteries and establishing a statewide veterans service network and programs for homeless and female veterans.

He spent eight years as executive director of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs and is now its legislative director and has served on the VA National Cemetery Administration Advisory Committee, Fort Knox Retiree Council, and Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs. He has received multiple awards and recognition for his efforts, including a recent MOAA President’s Award and a letter from President Joe Biden for his service to veterans.

For Beavers, it all comes back to being part of a team to help veterans. “We should appreciate their sacrifice and their service,” he said.

Judy Christie is a writer based in Colorado.