Dear Friend, 

For many of us, the holidays have come at a difficult time. After more than a year of the highest prices in decades, celebration is the last thing on some of our minds. After all, it’s difficult to get in the holiday spirit when the focus is paying for gas or groceries. In times when budgets are tight, it is even more important that we express our gratitude for the things that truly matter this holiday season.  

This year, one thing we are grateful for is the opportunity to honor three dearly missed Minnesotans. This week, the Senate passed our bill to rename the Avon Post Office in honor of Army National Guard Warrant Officer Candidate Kort M. Plantenberg. Kort passed away in 2019 alongside two fellow Guardsmen, Chief Warrant Officer 2 James A. Rogers Jr. and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles P. Nord, in 2019 during a routine training operation. With the passage of this legislation to memorialize Kort and similar bills from Representative Michelle Fischbach to honor James and Charles, all three Guardsmen will have permanent recognition of their sacrifice.

As a military family, we recognize the many Americans, like Kort, Charles, and James’ families, that are spending the holidays without loved ones. This time of year gives us the opportunity to reflect and appreciate all of our service members, while remaining mindful of their family's sacrifice during the holiday season.

I am so grateful to be able to spend the holiday season with my wife Jacquie, our children and grandchild. We are blessed to be able to be home in Minnesota - even if it is forecast to be one of the coldest Christmases in years – and appreciate all of the joys that family brings when we’re together.

There is still a lot to be thankful for and I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas, filled with peace, light, and love. From the entire Emmer family, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Sincerely,