The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs hosts 12 fallen hero bridge dedication ceremonies this year.
From June to November, the organization honors 15 veterans from Belle Fourche to Beresford and everywhere in between.
The department and Gov. Kristi Noem launched the program in 2019 to dedicate state bridges to South Dakota’s veterans classified as killed or missing in action.
“Naming South Dakota bridges in honor of our fallen gives us the opportunity of remembrance, reflection, and respect—to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to this nation,” said South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Greg Whitlock.
“These men and women, so young and in such a short time, met their destiny on far off battlefields," Whitlock said. "In return for their great gift, there is nothing more complex or important that we can do but to ensure the memories of their shortened lives go on.”