SIOUX FALLS The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a State Bridge Dedication Ceremony to honor U.S. Army Spc. 5th Class Richard L. Miller. The ceremony will be Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. CDT at the Plankinton School District in Plankinton, 404 E. Davenport.
This dedication is part of the Fallen Heroes Bridge Dedication Program, which was launched during the Noem-Rhoden Administration and expanded under Gov. Larry Rhoden. In partnership with the South Dakota Departments of Military, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs, this program creates visible and enduring tributes that connect communities to their history and remind future generations of the cost of freedom.
It is an honor to recognize the brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom, said Veterans Affairs Secretary Jeremiah Schneider. The Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication program ensures their sacrifice is remembered every day. These dedications serve as lasting symbols of gratitude and respect, connecting our communities to the legacy of those who served.
The state Highway 258 bridge over Interstate 90 at Exit 308, south of Plankinton, will be dedicated as the SP5 Richard L. Miller Bridge.
Miller entered the U.S. Army in August 1967 to become a watercraft engineer. In April 1968, he was deployed to Vietnam, where he was assigned to the 523rd Engineer Co. Miller was killed by artillery fire on June 11, 1969.
As we honor their memory, we also reaffirm our commitment to support veterans and their families in every way possible, Schneider said. Through these bridges, their stories remain a vital part of South Dakotas heritage and a constant reminder of the freedoms we cherish.
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