Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, was laid to rest Friday in a private ceremony at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Earlier in the day, a memorial at Eagle Brook Church drew family, fellow service members, and friends, while residents gathered along Highway 61 to watch the solemn procession to the cemetery. Her husband later described the grief he felt as overwhelming.
A memorial service for Amor was held Friday at Eagle Brook Church in White Bear Lake before family members, friends, and fellow service members accompanied her remains to Fort Snelling, as reported by Bring Me The News. The outlet noted that hundreds of people lined Highway 61 in downtown White Bear Lake to honor the procession, and that Amor's husband, Joey Amor, wrote on Facebook that “the sadness in that room was overwhelming.” The article also points readers to a GoFundMe established to help build a greenhouse in her memory.
Dignified transfer brought her home
Amor’s remains were returned to the U.S. in a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on March 7, a ceremony attended by family and government officials, according to FOX 9. Minnesota senators and local leaders were among those who paid tribute as transfer cases were carried from the aircraft.
Killed days from returning home
Amor was among six U.S. soldiers killed in a March 1 attack on a command center at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait, part of the escalating regional strikes that month, as reported by CBS Minnesota. CBS noted that the longtime reservist with the 103rd Sustainment Command had been days away from returning home and was posthumously promoted.
Family plans greenhouse and local memorials
Her husband, Joey Amor, told local reporters he wants to build a greenhouse in her honor, and a fundraiser has been started to help make that happen, as reported by Bring Me The News. Organizers said they are also working with the city and the local VFW on plans for a more permanent tribute.
Gov. Tim Walz ordered flags at state buildings to fly at half-staff until Amor was interred, and officials continue to coordinate with the family on veteran honors and benefits, CBS Minnesota reported. For now, White Bear Lake has gathered around the family with processions, public remembrances, and a growing wave of floral and written tributes.
