Dignified Transfer
A nation weeps behind the wall
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Dignified Transfer
[instrumental intro]
[Verse 1]
From the hills of West Virginia,
Two young soldiers heard the call,
Left their homes in quiet morning,
To guard the heart of us all.
Sarah twenty, eyes like summer,
Andrew twenty-four and strong,
Volunteered for streets of danger,
Where the nation’s hope belongs.
[Chorus]
Dignified transfer, carry her slow,
Through the city lights now dimmed and low.
White gloves and silence, ranks in the rain,
America’s daughter is going home again.
O Lord, receive her, this child of the free,
In the dignified transfer.
[Verse 2]
Lunchtime crowds on Farragut Square,
A sudden flash, a coward’s flame,
She fell shielding those she never knew,
He fought back through the pain.
One breath left this world at twilight,
One still clings beneath the light,
But both gave more than duty asked,
On a cold November night.
[Chorus]
Dignified transfer, carry her slow,
Past the monuments that watched her go.
Secret Service bowing, Guard stands tall,
A nation weeps behind the wall.
O Lord, receive her, this child of the free,
In the dignified transfer.
[instrumental solo]
[Bridge – half-spoken, half-sung, very soft]
Hear the boots upon the pavement,
Hear the muffled drum roll by,
See the flag-draped silent traveler,
As the eagles in formation fly.
[Final Chorus – a cappella, women only]
Sleep, dear sister, sleep in glory,
Your watch is over, duty done.
We will finish what you started,
Till every battle has been won.
[Final Chorus – full chorus + muted trumpet]
Dignified transfer, carry her slow,
Through the shadows to the place we know.
Heaven’s gates stand open wide tonight,
For a soldier walking into light.
O Lord, receive them, these children of the free,
In the dignified transfer…
In the dignified transfer.
[Outro – single male voice, fading]
Sarah Beckstrom… Andrew Wolfe…
We will never forget.
[instrumental outro]
Beckstrom & Wolfe - WV National Guardsmen
Summary of the Shooting of Two West Virginia National Guard Members in Washington, D.C.
On November 26, 2025, two members of the West Virginia National Guard—Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, of Summersville, and Specialist Andrew Wolfe, 24, of Martinsburg—were shot in a targeted ambush near the Farragut West Metro station, just two blocks from the White House in downtown Washington, D.C. The soldiers, who had been sworn in as federal law enforcement deputies less than 24 hours earlier to support high-visibility patrols under President Donald Trump's controversial August 2025 deployment of National Guard troops to combat urban crime, were fired upon by a suspect who approached them at close range during lunchtime crowds and immediately opened fire with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver. Both were critically wounded and rushed to MedStar Washington Hospital Center; Beckstrom succumbed to her injuries the following day, November 27, while Wolfe remained in critical condition as of November 28.
The suspect, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal from Khost Province, was wounded in the exchange—shot four times by responding officers and stabbed by one of the guardsmen—and taken into custody. Lakanwal, who had immigrated to the U.S. in September 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome after working with CIA partner forces in Kandahar, Afghanistan, was granted asylum in April 2025. He had driven over 40 hours from his home in Bellingham, Washington, with no prior criminal history, though authorities are probing potential ties to overseas associates and investigating the incident as a possible act of terrorism. He faces federal charges including three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, with potential upgrades to first-degree murder if Wolfe does not survive. The attack has fueled national debates over the legality of Trump's Guard deployments—a federal judge ruled one unlawful days prior, though it was stayed pending appeal—and prompted Trump to order 500 additional troops to D.C. while announcing immigration restrictions, including pauses on asylum and reviews of green cards from certain countries.
Backgrounds and Accomplishments
The victims were young patriots serving in the West Virginia National Guard as part of "Operation DC Safe and Beautiful," a voluntary mission to secure the capital during the holiday season.
- Specialist Sarah Beckstrom: A 20-year-old from Summersville, West Virginia, Beckstrom enlisted in the Army National Guard in June 2023 and served as a military police soldier with the 863rd Military Police Company. Described by friends and family as a "young soldier and patriot with her entire life ahead of her," she volunteered for the D.C. deployment to "ensure the safety and security of our nation’s capital," even for "people she never met." Beckstrom aspired to a career in federal law enforcement, envisioning a future with the FBI, and was remembered for her courage and selflessness—her father poignantly stated, "My baby girl has passed to glory." Tributes poured in from her high school, the West Virginia National Guard, and Trump administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, who vowed, "America will never forget her courage. There WILL BE JUSTICE for Sarah."
- Specialist Andrew Wolfe: A 24-year-old from Martinsburg, West Virginia, Wolfe joined the Air National Guard in February 2019 and had earned numerous service medals for his dedication over more than six years of service. Like Beckstrom, he volunteered for the D.C. patrols and was hailed as a hero by officials, with FBI Director Kash Patel and others calling for prayers amid his critical injuries. The West Virginia Guard emphasized the profound impact of the loss on their "One Guard Family" and the Mountain State community.
Dignified Transfer
On the evening of November 27, 2025, a solemn dignified transfer—also known as a fallen soldier procession or honor escort—was held for Beckstrom's remains, transported from MedStar Washington Hospital Center to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Washington, D.C. Local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Secret Service, Metropolitan Police Department, and D.C. National Guard units, lined the streets in a show of respect, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in attendance. National Guard members stood in formation near landmarks like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial as the procession passed, symbolizing the nation's gratitude for her ultimate sacrifice amid the holiday season's grief. The ceremony underscored the tragedy's toll, with D.C. National Guard Commander Brigadier Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II noting how the families' lives were "changed forever" by the "horrific and evil" act. As of November 28, no transfer had been reported for Wolfe, who continues to fight for his life.
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