WASHINGTON— During tomorrow’s 2024 State of the Union address, Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) will be accompanied by two distinguished guests from Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District, Tom and Cathy Hoernemann of Andover.  

The Hoernemanns are the parents of Major Jeffrey Thomas Hoernemann, 32, who was killed last year when his Osprey aircraft crashed over the coast of Yakushima Island, Japan during a routine training mission. He served as a CV-22 instructor pilot and officer in charge of training. Major Hoernemann was assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron at Yokota Air Base.

Jeffrey was killed alongside the seven other members of his crew, including:

Major Eric V. Spendlove, 36
Major Luke A. Unrath, 34
Major Terrell K. Brayman, 32
Tech Sgt. Zachary E. Lavoy, 33
Staff Sgt. Jake M. Turnage, 25 
Staff Sgt. Jake M. Galliher, 24 
Sr. Airman Brian K. Johnson, 32

“Major Hoernemann and his fellow airmen are heroes. They had lives full of promise, cut tragically short. We will not forget their service or the immense sacrifice of those who loved them,” said Emmer. “We are grateful to have Tom and Cathy accompany us tomorrow evening to honor their son, Jeff, and to recognize the sacrifices military families make every day. Our thoughts remain with the Hoernemanns and the families of these brave airmen.”

The Hoernemanns said, “We are pleased to be guests of Representative Emmer at this year's State of the Union address to honor the life of our son, Air Force Major Jeffrey Thomas Hoernemann, and the entire crew of Gundam 22. We are grateful for and would like to thank Congressman Emmer for his respectful support and continued advocacy on our behalf as the crash investigation goes forward.”

Emmer honored Jeffrey’s life and legacy in a speech on the House floor late last year.

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