RAPID CITY, S.D. – A variety of Memorial Day Events were held across the state Monday to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service of the country.
In Rapid City, the Joint Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, Rapid City Fire Department and South Dakota Highway Patrol Honor Guard provided their annual ceremony at Monument Park where a veteran’s monument was dedicated Monday morning.
The new memorial features 694 names of veterans from surrounding counties who lost their lives serving engraved on granite walls. The monument was also upgraded to include all wars from World War One to the present.
In Sturgis, the Honor Guard provided a 21-gun salute at both St. Aloysius and Bear Butte Cemeteries.
At Black Hills National Cemetery, the Department of Veteran Affairs held a Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony where Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden reflected on the day’s meaning.
“I’m here to pay respects to those who stepped up to serve our country. Some came home, some paid the ultimate sacrifice,and that includes about 3,000 South Dakotans. And we can never forget that,” Rhoden said.
Also speaking at the ceremony was South Dakota American Legion Commander Doug Feltman, who reminded the audience that sometimes soldiers are called up to make the ultimate sacrifice, but they had no reservations.
Rock Creek American Legion Post 324 also held their ceremony at the cemetery Monday afternoon.
