SD Fallen Heroes Bridge Dedications
Dedications 2024
June 29
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: LT Donald R. Harms and SGT Fred H. Harms
Jelkin-Harms American Legion Post 142 - Tripp, SD (102 S. Main Street)
2:00 pm (CT)
July 3
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: SGT Lelund M. Kahler
Rec Center - Belle Fourche, SD (1111 National Street)
2:00 pm (MT)
July 10
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: T/5 Harald Haraldsen
Lions Civic Center - Buffalo, SD (210 State Road 20)
2:00 pm (MT)
July 19
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: CPL Russell N. Ferdig
Elk Point United Parish - Elk Point, SD (2102 E. Main Street)
2:00 pm (CT)
July 24
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: CPL John C. McDowell
Corsica Travel Plaza - Corsica, SD (HWY 281 and Main Street)
11:00 am (CT)
August 2
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: PFC John Tuin
Estelline American Legion Post 184 - Estelline, SD (222 Main Street)
1:30 pm (CT)
August 5
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: RM2 Eugene L. Herr, RM2 Ordien F. Herr, and LT LeRoy M. Herr
Bristol High School Gym - Bristol, SD (500 S. 3rd Street)
1:30 pm (CT)
August 10
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: SGT Terry G. Rada
Geddes Multi Purpose Center - Geddes, SD (409 Michigan Avenue)
12:00 noon (CT)
August 17
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: SGT Dennis D. Lawver
Miller American Legion Post - Miller, SD (402 S. Broadway Avenue)
2:00 pm (CT)
August 18
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: PFC Gunnar Becker
Sanborn County 4-H Building - Forestburg, SD (23237 405th Avenue)
2:00 pm (CT)
August 21
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: 1LT Daniel Kirchgesler
Security First Bank Court of Champions in St. Thomas More High School - Rapid City, SD (300 Fairmont Blvd)
2:00 pm (MT)
November 11
SD Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication: 1LT Josef Thorne
Beresford High School Gym - Beresford, SD (301 W. Maple Street)
1:30 pm (CT)
In 2019, Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Departments of Veterans Affairs, Military, and Transportation launched the Fallen Heroes Bridge Dedication Program.
This program dedicates state bridges to South Dakotans who were killed in action while serving their country or classified as 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.
The Fallen Heroes Bridge Dedication Committee meets annually in April and selects heroes to honor and the bridges to dedicate that year.
Dedication of the bridges are held May through November.
South Dakota has more than 3,000 veterans that made the ultimate sacrifice. Although these heroes are no longer with us, their memories live on in the hearts of their loved ones and our state. They cherished liberty and loved freedom enough to lay down their lives to preserve our way of life.
Click here to view application form (pdf).
We ecnourage applicants to attach supporting documentation to their application form. This can include report of casualty form, posthumously award letters, newspaper articles, funeral programs, community letters of support, photos, and family correspondence to and from their hero.