SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a State Bridge Dedication Ceremony to honor U.S.M.C. Private First-Class Peter R. Ommen.

The ceremony will be on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. (MT) at the Pizza Lab in Central City (124 US-14A).

This dedication is part of the Fallen Heroes Bridge Dedication Program, which was launched during the Noem-Rhoden Administration and expanded under Governor 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 Secretary of Veterans Affairs 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 US HWY 14A bridge over Deadwood Creek, in Central City, will be dedicated as the PFC Peter R. Ommen Bridge.

PFC Peter R. Ommen enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in the summer of 1966, training as a mortarman before joining Company M, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. On April 30, 1967, while participating in the assault on Hill 881 as part of Operation Prairie IV near Khe Sanh, Vietnam, PFC Ommen was killed by enemy small arms fire. 

“As we honor their memory, we also reaffirm our commitment to support veterans and their families in every way possible,” continued Schneider. “Through these bridges, their stories remain a vital part of South Dakota’s heritage and a constant reminder of the freedoms we cherish.”