(KNSI) — Two local congressional representatives will be in Avon Thursday as the post office there is renamed to honor a fallen local Minnesota National Guardsman.
Warrant Officer Candidate Kort M. Plantenberg and two others were on a routine maintenance test flight on December 5th, 2019, when the UH-60 Blackhawk they were in experienced engine failure and fell out of the sky. Plantenberg, Chief Warrant Officer James A. Rogers, Junior and Chief Warrant Officer Charles P. Nord were all killed in the crash.
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach and Congressman Tom Emmer authored legislation to rename the post offices in the guardsmen’s three hometowns in honor of them. The bills flew through the U.S. House and Senate and were signed into law in 2022.
Fischbach and Emmer will be in Avon today to speak at the dedication ceremony.
“We can never honor our fallen the way they truly deserve, but every step we can take is a meaningful one. Charles Nord and James Rogers of Minnesota’s 7th District and Kort Plantenberg of the 6th District were deeply passionate about their service to this country and loved by their family and friends in their communities, who still gather together to share stories and memories,” said Congresswoman Fischbach. “I am so pleased that with the passing of this legislation to rename the post offices in Perham, Winsted, and Avon, we can take one small step to memorialize these three patriots the way they deserve.”
“Kort, James and Charles gave their lives in service of Minnesotans. We are proud to honor their legacy by creating a living memorial in the communities they called home,” said Congressman Emmer.
The Perham Post Office was renamed in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Nord, and the Winsted Post Office was renamed in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Rogers Jr.
