06.19.15

Hoeven Honors Fallen Soldiers at Memorial Dedication in Jamestown

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today spoke at the dedication of the Fallen Soldier Memorial in Jamestown. The event was hosted by the North Dakota Heroes Foundation, whose mission is to erect a memorial in the hometown of each fallen North Dakota Hero so local communities have something to see, touch and reflect upon.

In attendance were the families of the three fallen soldiers from Jamestown, as well as the executive officers of American Bikers Aiming Toward Education (ABATE). Hundreds of members of the general public also came to show their support and remembrance of the fallen soldiers. The event was hosted by Duane Sand, Founder/Manager of the North Dakota Heroes Foundation.

“This evening, we remember the great sacrifices that Army Spc. Paul Beyer, North Dakota Army National Guard Spc. Phillip Brown, Army Reserve Maj. Alan Johnson and their families have made to secure the blessings of liberty, which have made our country a beacon of hope for people around the globe,” Hoeven said. “Today’s dedication of the Fallen Soldier Memorial in Jamestown will remind generations to come of the selfless service of these heroes who have helped to ensure that the United States continues to be the freest and most successful nation the world has ever known. Our state and our country owe these fallen members, and their families, our sincerest gratitude for their commitment to preserving our way of life. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the North Dakota Heroes Foundation, which is working to commemorate these brave servicemen and women.”

Army Spc. Paul A. Beyer, 21, was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. Beyer, son of Scott and Jillene (Seibert) Beyer, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and moved to Jamestown with his family when he was four. He enlisted in the United States Army and graduated from basic training in July of 2005. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. He was deployed to Iraq in October of 2005 and was serving near Baghdad, Iraq at the time of his death.        

Spc. Philip Dorman Brown, 21, was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. Brown, son of Richard Dorman and Deidra (Stellar) Brown, was born in Jamestown. He was a fourth generation soldier to serve in the U.S. military, a fourth generation member of the Jamestown Elks Lodge 995 and a third generation student at Jamestown College. He was a specialist with the North Dakota National Guard’s 141st Engineer Combat Battalion.

Major Alan Johnson, 44, was killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006. Johnson began his 23-year career with the Army National Guard in Jamestown. He was deployed to Iraq in 2006 with the 402nd CA Battalion in support of the Global War on Terrorism. During his career, he was honored with two Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, six Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver “hourglass” device (20 years) and an “M” device (mobilization) Army Service Ribbon, a pistol qualification badge, the North Dakota National Guard Basic Training Ribbon, the National Guard 20-year Service Ribbon and the Washington State Disaster Relief Ribbon.

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