[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 204 (Tuesday, December 17, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S7107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING SERGEANT KORT M. PLANTENBERG, CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 JAMES A. 
        ROGERS, JR., AND CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 CHARLES P. NORD

 Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Madam President, today I rise with a heavy 
heart to honor and pay tribute to three exemplary National Guard 
Members from my home State of Minnesota. On Thursday, December 5, SGT 
Kort M. Plantenberg, CW2 James A. Rogers, Jr., and CW2 Charles P. Nord 
lost their lives when their Black Hawk UH-60 helicopter went down 
southwest of St. Cloud, MN, during a routine maintenance flight.
  They had just returned home from the Middle East in May after a 9-
month deployment conducting medical evacuations. Once back in 
Minnesota, they had continued serving our Nation by ensuring that our 
Forces would be prepared to respond the moment they were needed. After 
this tragic loss, Governor Walz, a Minnesota National Guardsman for 
nearly 25 years, remarked that ``we will forever be in the debt of 
these warriors.'' I couldn't agree more.
  Today, I would like to honor these brave men for giving what 
President Lincoln called, ``the last full measure of devotion.'' We are 
forever grateful for heroes like Sergeant Plantenberg, Chief Warrant 
Officer 2 Rogers, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nord.
  Some who knew these extraordinary men described Sergeant Plantenberg 
as ``one of the most professional individuals . . . [who] had unlimited 
potential.'' Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rogers was said to be a ``calming 
presence'' who could always make those around him laugh. Chief Warrant 
Officer 2 Nord was described as ``lighthearted--and kind-hearted.'' 
Like many who serve this country, these men all had so many gifts, and 
our Nation is better today because of their service and sacrifice.
  During this time of unimaginable grief, I would also like to offer my 
prayers and condolences to the families of these fallen heroes. I hope 
they take comfort in the fact that their lives weren't lost in vain but 
in support of their common goal: to serve the Nation they loved.
  They will be missed, but never forgotten, as their service has 
inspired us all. So now, it is up to us to preserve their memory and 
support all of our brave men and women who make such an immense 
sacrifice to keep our Nation strong. Our thoughts and prayers are with 
their families and loved ones and with the entire Minnesota National 
Guard community, at home and overseas. There is no limit to the respect 
they have earned, no cap to the honor they are due, and no time when we 
will not be in their debt.
  Thank you.

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