Nearly four years have passed since Corey Goodnature was killed in action in Afghanistan, but his memory remains vibrant with the Corey Goodnature Memorial Scholarship Golf Classic.

The fourth annual event will be held Saturday at Green Lea Golf Course with the opening ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m. followed by a 3 p.m. shotgun start to the nine-hole scramble tournament. Dinner and a silent auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. and a live auction will begin at 7:30 p.m.

All proceeds from the event fund the Corey Goodnature Memorial Scholarship, a fund that donates 12 $1,000 scholarships to students in area schools.

Goodnature, who graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1988, served as a Chief Warrant Officer Three in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, which is also known as the Night Stalkers. Goodnature was killed on June 28, 2005 when his Chinook CH-47 helicopter was shot down as he led a group trying rescue an elite U.S. military team which was under attack.

Sixteen special operations soldiers were killed in the attack, which is the deadliest single blow to American forces in Afghanistan.

Goodnature, who had flown the night before, volunteered to go on the rescue mission. Goodnature flew as the flight lead on the mission.

“Everything to me has changed as far as appreciation to the military,” said Larry Goodnature, Corey’s uncle. “I’m so impressed and grateful for what Corey did and for all the military men and women now. It’s totally changed me as far as how I look at the military. It’s just unbelievable the sacrifice and the commitment that our men and women make and what Corey made for our country and our freedom.”

It was Goodnature’s dream to become a pilot and he served 14 years in the military. He was on his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Larry will speak at the opening ceremony, along with Tim Denton, a Night Stalker pilot who served with Corey.

“We’d like veterans, especially our veterans here in town to come out to the opening ceremonies and to our dinner that night,” Goodnature said. “We really want to encourage our veterans to come out to that.”

The golf tournament is full, but dinner is available for $20.

On Friday at the Albert Lea American Legion there will be a fundraising event for the scholarship fund. The “NSDQ Red Friday Hoedown” will feature the live music of Cabin Fever and begins at 8 p.m. All proceeds will go toward the scholarship fund.

The live and silent auction will feature a bevy of sports memorabilia, including trip packages to NASCAR events.

Auction items include:

*Four tickets to the Kansas City race in October, an all-access package that includes four VIP/garage passes with access to the pits and garages throughout all the races, qualifying rounds and practice sessions; four tickets to the Sprint Cup race, tour of the racing competition area, pit row and garage area; parking pass.

*Actual Sunoco checkered flag used in one of this year’s races — signed by NASCAR’s top drivers. Only 10 of these flags given to NASCAR’s elite per year.

*Limited edition bottle of NASCAR champagne — each team which wins the Sprint Cup Series receives a limited number of bottles to celebrate its achievement. Jimmie Johnson is autographing one of two remaining bottles in his collection for the event.

*Autographed Adrian Peterson Vikings jersey

*Limited edition and high-end RIFE putters

*U.S. Flags flown during missions in Afghanistan

*Iowa hunting trip

*PowerBlock dumbbell set

*Green Lea GC yearly membership

*Signed ball by Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer

*Four tickets to Chicago Raceway total package.