Haven recognized patients Joyce and Earl Beegle for their service in the United States military. Both are originally from Pennsylvania, have known each other since they were 15 years old, and were in the Civil Air Patrol in high school together.
Mr. Beegle served in the United States Coast Guard for 17 years and the United States Air Force for seven years. He also served in the Army National Guard. He flew the last fixed-wing sea plane aircraft from Biscayne Bay off the water. He also flew helicopters.
As a civilian, he worked at a nuclear power plant. Mr. Beetle has collected trains for more than 80 years and has a vast collection of hobby trains, which he keeps in a 900+ square foot space. The Haven team enjoyed learning about his hobby at his veteran recognition ceremony; he has trains and train villages everywhere and the team shared that one of his train maps used to hang at Penn Station in New York.
Mrs. Beegle worked in intelligence with the United States Coast Guard and in personnel for the United States Navy. As a civilian, she raised children and worked various jobs while traveling with her husband during active duty. Mrs. Beegle said that the couple shares three biological children and one adopted child. Since the family moved often due to their military duties, they thought their son needed a brother so he would not be lonely. They decided to adopt, even though many told them they would not be able to adopt with three biological children. She said, “God blessed us with another son. The adoption was meant to be.” Mr. and Mrs. Beegle have been married 65 years, have four children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They have lived in Levy County for 22 years– Florida for a total of 28 years– and were stationed in Florida, Texas and Alaska.
Haven staff and volunteers presented a framed certificate of appreciation for each of their branches of service, thank you cards from staff, We Honor Veterans lapel pins, branch flags, American flags and large fleece flag blankets. A certificate of appreciation was also left with the couple to present to their children in appreciation of their sacrifices during their service years.
