PIERRE, SD – Gov. Dennis Daugaard recently signed a proclamation recognizing the service of South Dakota’s veterans. The proclamation encourages South Dakotans to remember the service and sacrifice of the nation’s veterans and military personnel during Veterans Day observances.
The proclamation signed by Gov. Daugaard states, “From Valley Forge to Afghanistan, through war and peace, valiant Americans have answered the call to duty with honor and dignity. These brave men and women, and their loved ones, have made significant sacrifice on behalf of our nation.”
“Our great nation is forever indebted to the men and women who have served in the military during the time of war. Their service and the sacrifices made by their family members will never be forgotten,” said Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, SDNG adjutant general and Secretary of the South Dakota Department of the Military.
Reisch will be the keynote speaker at the Veterans Day program at the De Smet High School.
“We must never allow ourselves to forget that America, as we know it, exists because of the sacrifices of our veterans,” said Larry Zimmerman, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs. “ Through their steadfast defense of America’s ideals, our service members are the reason our country still stands strong, our founding principles still shine and nations’ around the world know the blessings of freedom.”
With an estimated 75,000 veterans living in South Dakota and that number increasing as troops return home each month, Secretary Zimmerman will be keynote speaker at Veterans Day programs in North Sioux City, Deadwood, Huron and Dell Rapids.