Minnesotan killed in Kuwait honored at White Bear Lake Memorial Day ceremony
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The White Bear Lake VFW and American Legion honored Master Sgt. Nicole Amor on Monday during a Memorial Day remembrance.
Amor, who, along with five other soldiers, died in March in the Iran war, was honored during the Comrades Lost at Sea ceremony with a paver brick at Veterans Memorial Park.
“So now she’s forever apart of the community,” said Amor’s husband Joey, who attended the ceremony.
Amor, a U.S. Army Reservist, wife and mother of two, was days away from returning home when she was killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait.
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VFW Post 1782 Cmdr. Gary Carlberg said the community backing has been overwhelming.
“It’s been consoling to know people care,” Carlberg said. “Ninety-nine percent of the comments have been very supportive and nice. The bottom line is Minnesota supports their own.”
Nicole Amor’s mother, Deb Stafslien, said the family is touched by the community support they’ve seen.
“It's so incredibly moving and loving,” she said. “White Bear Lake spares no emotion and no amount of care and grace towards us in honoring her.”
Joey Amor said the outpouring from neighbors left him feeling “humbled.”
“I think that's probably the only word I can find,” said Amor. “There were tons of people here that didn't have to be here for someone they didn't know. And that speaks to White Bear.”
Even on a day marked by grief and reflection, Amor’s family said Nicole would have wanted people to keep laughing and joking the way she always did.
“Nicole was sassy and sarcastic, said Stafslien. “I would just like everyone else to remain the same type of loving and sarcastic person, carrying her forward.
“Don't forget to laugh,” Joey Amor said. “Don't forget to joke, because that's what she did.”
Amor’s March funeral procession drew hundreds who lined the streets of White Bear Lake.
The special dedication followed a full day of Memorial Day events in White Bear Lake, which started with a 9 a.m. parade beginning at city hall and a 9:30 a.m. march to Union Cemetery.
