Governor Mark Dayton signs bill into law honoring fallen Navy SEAL

ST. PAUL, MN - Today, Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill into law designating a segment of Route No. 46 (U.S. Highway 8), from the southwestern border of Chisago City to the eastern border of Center City, to be named "Nicholas Patrick Spehar Memorial Highway." Navy SEAL Special Operator Second Class Nicholas Patrick Spehar was a lifelong resident of Minnesota, and a 2005 graduate of Chisago Lakes High School. He was killed in action on August 6, 2011, in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan. He was 24 years old.

"Special Operator Second Class Nicholas Patrick Spehar served our state and nation with great courage," said Governor Mark Dayton. "As Minnesotans, we honor his memory and his sacrifice today. We will always remember him for his extraordinary heroism."

The legislation (SF2035/HF2219) was authored by Representative Bob Barrett and Senator Sean R. Nienow.

About Nicholas Patrick Spehar
Navy SEAL Special Operator Second Class Nicholas Patrick Spehar was a lifelong resident of Minnesota, and a 2005 graduate of Chisago Lakes High School where he excelled academically and was a stand-out athlete in football, baseball, and swimming. Spehar enlisted in the United States Navy in March, 2007, earning a spot with the Navy SEALs. His first deployment took him to the Philippines in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he earned the prestigious position of Honor Man in both Naval Special Warfare Lead Breacher, and Naval Special Warfare Sniper School.

After a second deployment to Yemen, Spehar volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan; earning both an Army Achievement Medal and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Spehar gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and died a hero on Saturday, August 6, 2011, in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan, when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding crashed during combat operations.

Spehar was survived by his parents Patrick and Annette; sisters, Marie (and brother-in-law Anthony), and Lisa; brothers, Luke and Jacob; and many loving relatives, friends, and neighbors.