Rep. Tom Emmer Awarded Charles Dick Medal of Merit for Advocacy of Minnesota National Guard

(KNSI) – A local Congressman has received a prestigious honor for his dedication to the Minnesota National Guard.

Republican House Majority Whip Tom Emmer is the winner of the Charles Dick Medal of Merit from the National Guard Association of the United States. The award is given to state and federal lawmakers who’ve supported a state’s citizen soldiers over several years. According to a press release, Congressman Emmer has advocated the National Guard since he first came to the capitol in 2015.

According to officials, Emmer was honored for playing a pivotal role in modernizing the Minnesota National Guard by getting funding for eight new C-130J aircraft for the 133rd Airlift Wing, upgraded Army National Guard vehicles, and new critical infrastructure to ensure soldiers and airmen can carry out their mission.

Following the death of three Minnesota National Guardsmen in a helicopter crash near St. Cloud in 2019, Congressman Emmer spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives in their memory and introduced legislation to honor them. They were 28-year-old Sgt. Kort M. Plantenberg of Avon, 28-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 2 James A. Rogers Jr. of Winsted and 30-year-old Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles P. Nord of Perham. Emmer introduced legislation that flew through Congress and was signed by the president to name their hometown post offices after the three.

___