Soldier’s name will be added to memorial

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Rosemount’s memorial to fallen soldiers will get an addition in the near future.

The name of Ben Kopp, the 2006 Rosemount High School graduate who was shot July 10 in Afghanistan, will be added to the Central Park monument sometime in the next month or so, according to Rosemount’s Ken Talbert. Talbert said the group responsible for the monument has contacted an engraver and will hold an official unveiling of Kopp’s name when the work is complete.

“Nothing big. Just a little ceremony,” Talbert said.

This is the first name added to the monument as the result of recent fighting.

“That’s what it’s there for,” Talbert said.

Kopp, an Army Ranger in his first tour in Afghanistan after two in Iraq, spent eight days in a coma after he was shot in the leg. He died July 18. He was buried Aug. 7 at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Governor Tim Pawlenty ordered flags in Minnesota flown at half staff that day in Kopp’s honor.

Tags: local news, army ranger, central park monument, ben kopp, news, rosemount