Dean Phillips: “Last week, my State and our country lost three young and remarkable servicemembers in a tragic helicopter crash outside…”

“Last week, my State and our country lost three young and remarkable servicemembers in a tragic helicopter crash outside of St. Cloud, Minnesota. Sergeant Kort Plantenberg; Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Rogers, Jr.; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles Nord each served our country with valor and leave behind grieving families and friends and heartbroken communities. I recently flew with a crew from St. Cloud, and I lost my own father in a helicopter crash in the Vietnam war back in 1969, so my heart is particularly heavy today for Kaley Nord, 2-year-old Lydia, and her soon-to-be-born sibling, who will grow up without a father. But we will never forget, and we will carry their legacies forward in the spirit of service, duty, and above all else, sacrifice. May their memories be for a blessing. ____________________”