PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a State Bridge Dedication Ceremony to honor U.S. Army Private First-Class Fred D. Larson.

The ceremony will be Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. (CT) at the Pollock Community Center in Pollock (916 F. Ave).

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 SD10 bridge over Lake Pocasse, just east of Pollock, will be dedicated as the PFC Fred D. Larson Bridge.

PFC Fred D. Larson was born on June 22, 1949, and raised in Pollock, South Dakota. Larson was drafted into the U.S. Army on August 19, 1969, and deployed to Vietnam on January 15, 1970, as part of the 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery, C Battery. On April 24, 1970—his mother’s 55th birthday—he was killed in action near Lang Dong Ban in Quang Ngai Province, South Vietnam, while bravely volunteering to search a suspected enemy dwelling, where he triggered a land mine.

“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.”