KELO: Bridge dedications coming for 18 more Fallen Heroes
A record number of South Dakota’s armed forces veterans who died in combat will be memorialized with highway bridge dedications this year.
The 18 are the latest to be publicly recognized through induction to the Fallen Heroes program. They join 78 previously honored.
Then-Gov. Kristi Noem established the program in South Dakota shortly after taking office in 2019.
The South Dakota Department of Veteran Affairs and the South Dakota Department of Transportation jointly administer it.
DOT Director of Operations Craig Smith presented the 2026 list to the state Transportation Commission on Thursday for approval.
He said six of the men will be honored in a joint ceremony, but didn’t yet have further information.
Veterans Affairs staff coordinate with families on the bridge dedication dates.