Minnesota National Guard Helicopter Crash Site Memorial Dedication
Kimball, MN (KROC-AM News) - A memorial to the Minnesota National Guard members killed in a helicopter crash a year and a half ago will be officially dedicated this afternoon.
The National Guard says James Rogers, Charles Nord, and Kort Plantenberg lost their lives on December 5, 2019, when a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter crashed during a routine maintenance test flight. They were members of Charlie Company 2-211th General Support Aviation Brigade, which is an air ambulance company headquartered in St. Cloud.
The crash occurred in the field near the town of Kimball owned by Helen and Larry Krippner. A news release says the couple decided shortly after the tragedy to turn the site into a memorial that would be open to the public. Minnesota National Guard Adjutant General Major General Shawn Manke will be presenting the Krippners with a Public Service Commendation Medal for making the memorial possible.
The ceremony will take place at the new memorial at 1 PM.
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