Memorial Dedication for Fallen Soldiers

May 14, 2021 (KIMBALL, Minnesota) – The official dedication of the Minnesota Army National Guard Fallen Soldiers Memorial in Kimball is Sunday, May 16 at 1:00 p.m.

On Dec. 5, 2019, a routine maintenance test flight ended in a Black Hawk crash killing all three members on board, James Rogers, Charles Nord and Kort Plantenberg. The Soldiers were members of Charlie Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Brigade, an air ambulance company headquartered in St. Cloud.

The helicopter crashed in a field owned by Helen and Larry Krippner. Shortly after the crash, the Krippner family put plans in action to turn the site into a memorial site open to the public. At Sunday’s ceremony, Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General, will be presenting Helen and Larry Krippner with a Public Service Commendation Medal for the generosity of their time and space to make a memorial possible.

The community is welcome to attend the official dedication ceremony at 18565 County Road 48, Kimball, MN 55353.

Note: Media members are invited, and Maj. Gen. Manke will be available for media interviews.  Please RSVP to mn.ng.web@mail.mil.  

– About the Minnesota National Guard –

Established in 1856 and headquartered in St. Paul, the Minnesota National Guard has more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen who serve in 58 communities across the state. The Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Minnesota National Guard are ‘Always Ready’ to fight the nation’s wars, protect the country, respond to state emergencies and contribute to local communities. For more information about the Minnesota National Guard, visit https://MinnesotaNationalGuard.ng.mil .