# @idahonationalguard on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd4ST_1psQy
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/76060480-idahonationalguard-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/1f49738f86.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-05-22T23:53:23.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Idaho National Guard (@idahonationalguard) — https://gondola.cc/idahonationalguard

## Caption

After 72 years, Pfc. Kenneth LeRoy Bridger was finally laid to rest and closure was given to his family during a full military honors graveside ceremony held in Twin Falls, Idaho, on May 21. Bridger was reported missing in action on Nov. 30, 1950, while serving alongside his fellow U.S. troops during the war against North Korea.

Bridger’s remains were identified Jan. 26. Bridger was just 17 years old and was a member of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He enlisted into the U.S. Army from Colville, Washington, but his remaining family resides in Idaho where he was laid to rest next to his brothers and his mother. Bridger’s four living siblings, along with their families, attended the private ceremony. 

“Every U.S. service member is committed to never leave a fallen comrade behind. It is in our creed,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Garshak, Idaho’s adjutant general. “Although it has taken over 70 years to return Pfc. Bridger from the battle fields of Korea, it is comforting to me and to all who serve to know that we fight for a country that will never give up in keeping that promise. It is an immense honor to be a part of this ceremony and return Pfc. Bridger home to his final resting place with his family.”

Garshak presented Wilber Bridger, Pfc. Bridger’s brother and oldest surviving relative, the U.S. flag and the Purple Heart on his brother's behalf. Bridger’s brothers Lynn and Halbert “Lee” Bridger along with his sister, Florence Fiscus, received the U.S. flag from the Idaho National Guard. The four siblings also received POW/MIA flags from the National League of the POW/MIA Families and local POW/MIA Awareness Associations in his honor. 

The Idaho Army National Guard’s State Aviation Group preformed a flyover with two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and the Idaho National Guard joint honor guard preformed taps and the folding of the flag. Read the full article at the Idaho National Guard Facebook page.
#POWMIA #KoreanWar #neverforget #honorthefallen #freedomisntfree #usarmy #usarmysoldier #nationalguard #flyover #militaryhonors #honorguard #purpleheart #missinginaction #idahonationalguard #idaho #twinfalls #usflag

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## Tags

purpleheart, idaho, twinfalls, neverforget, missinginaction, honorguard, usarmy, nationalguard, militaryhonors, freedomisntfree, flyover, usflag, usarmysoldier, powmia, honorthefallen, koreanwar, idahonationalguard

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