This Memorial Day, family and friends of area deceased veterans continued the tradition of gathering together to salute our fallen heroes at the annual Memorial Day program, which was held at the National Guard Armory on Monday, May 27, 2019.

The ceremony began with the posting of the Colors by Det 1, 155th Engineer Company, South Dakota National Guard. The colors were presented followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Olivia Breen and Rose Eitemiller.

American Legion Post 11 Commander, Robert Kucera, welcomed those in attendance. He thanked them for attending todays program and reminded them that today is the day we honor the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Following the welcome, Pastor Scott Alderink gave the invocation.

Master of Ceremonies, 1SG Mark Roberts, introduced the guests that were present to include American Legion Commander Bob Kucera, Legion Auxiliary President June Stone, District 7 Commander, Greg Geiman, guest speaker Betty “Sam Vaughn” and Wagner Mayor Don Hosek and wife Doris.

Music was provided by the Boys and Girls Club Violin Group. Performers were Kathryn Doom, Jennifer Barnett and Monroe Kessler along with their instructor, Ester Meader.

The roll call of deceased veterans was read by Clayton Rados and Don Kotab. There are over 650 veterans on the roll call list. Only a few actually made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The remainder are those who wore the uniform and served our country proudly during war and peace. The list includes those interred in local cemeteries to cemeteries located as far away as Hawaii and Belgium. As each name was read, Legion and VFW Auxiliary members placed a poppy on a grave marker to commemorate the passing of each veteran.

Following the roll call of deceased veterans, each of the five branches of the service, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, were announced. Veterans who served in that branch were asked to stand and be recognized.

The Memorial Day guest speaker was Betty “Sam” Vaughn, who grew up with her fourteen brothers and sisters on a small dairy farm near Corona, South Dakota. She attended SDSU and graduated with a BS in Nursing in 1970. After graduation, she joined the Army Nurse Corps as a

First Lieutenant and served six years on active duty. Her assignments included one year at the 24th Evacuation Hospital in Long Binh, Vietnam and a two year assignment as the head nurse of a 45-bed surgical unit at the US Army Hospital in Nurnberg, Germany.

Sam reminded everyone of the history of Memorial Day and the fact that over one million

Americans have died fighting for our country since 1776.

Many of her family members have served our country. Her grandfather was a WWI veteran.

Sam stopped to visit him after she completed basic training. She was in uniform so her grandfather insisted on donning his WWI uniform and having their picture taken together.

Her father served in WWII with the 6th Rangers. He didn’t talk about his service, only that he served in the Philipines. After his death, they found that he was attached to a scouting and recon company and that he had received a Bronze Star.

Serving as an Army nurse in Vietnam, Sam was assigned to an evacuation hospital. She said that the soldiers came in badly wounded, were stabilized and shipped out immediately.

The worst part was that she never knew who lived or died. All the soldiers wanted to do was go home.

Her husband served nearly 25 years on Active Duty. He served in the Gulf War in 1991 with the 101st Airborne Division. The worst fear was that the enemy would use chemical weapons.

Her husband died of pancreatic cancer at the age of

45. She also had two sons who served, one in Kosovo and another in Iraq.

In closing, she told the audience that all soldiers have stories that are similar to hers, stories that we will always remember and never forget.

Following the address, the American Legion and VFW Auxiliary representatives placed a wreath to symbolize the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

In closing, Mark Roberts stated that this Memorial Day we all salute those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, and we encourage everyone to take time to remind others what this holiday is really about.

Pastor Alderink gave the benediction before the retiring of the Colors by the 155th. The firing squad then fired a 21 gun salute to honor all fallen veterans, followed by Taps.

Lunch was served to over 100 veterans and their families at the American Legion following the program.