BERESFORD, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) – Governor Noem will be the keynote speaker at the Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication Ceremony honoring U.S. Army First Lieutenant Josef L. Thorne. The dedication is in conjunction with the Beresford School District Veterans Day Program.
The ceremony will take place at 1:30 pm (CT) on Monday, November 11, 2024, at the Beresford High School Gym (301 W. Maple Street) in Beresford.
On April 19, 1965, Thorne’s helicopter came under intense enemy ground fire and was shot down while flying a mission on the central coast of South Vietnam. Thorne’s Huey exploded on impact, and he was reported killed in action.
Naming bridges in honor of our combat veterans who died while serving their country is an initiative of Governor Kristi Noem and the South Dakota Departments of Military, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs. The Thorne dedication will mark the naming of 53 bridges honoring 59 veterans.
South Dakota is the best state in the Nation to live, work, and retire as a veteran. Our veterans have repeatedly demonstrated their devotion and perseverance in adversity. We are immensely proud of them as our highest examples of courage and commitment, and we are honored to recognize them on Veterans Day.