A welcome home ceremony was held for over 150 Soldiers of the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 155th Engineer Company on Saturday, July 2, at 4:00 p.m. MDT at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center’s Barnett Arena in Rapid City. The Rapid City and Wagner-based returned home after a 10-month deployment to Kuwait. Speakers for the ceremony were Gov. Dennis Daugaard, U.S. Senators John Thune, U.S. Representative Kristi Noem, Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender and Major General Tim Reisch, the adjutant-general of the SDNG.
The first plane load of troops arrived in time for the original ceremony at 2:00 PM, that was pushed forward because of a delay in Texas of the second flight. After a flight delay of 90 minutes, the second group of SD Army National Guard 155th Engineer Company troops arrived at the eight street entrance to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center around 3:30 PM. Escorted by police vehicles and a veterans motorcycle group. Much to the delight of the waiting group of friends and family, the two charted buses pulled into the curb and started discharging their passengers.
There was a solid, controlled movement towards the buses to search for a loved one, no pushing or shoving. Some were greeted by one or two people, others were encircled by groups of extended family and friends. After a long flight and delay, fatigue was a burden but not enough to smother the joy of a welcome home for all.
Members of the returning SDNG 115th Engineers Company arrive at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Eight Street entrance Saturday July 2, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press
Friends and Family wait for the arriving buses to come to a complete stop at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Eight Street entrance Saturday July 2, 2016. Photo: Photo:Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press
A trooper greets his new baby at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Eight Street entrance Saturday July 2, 2016. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free Press
Major General Tim Reisch, Adjutant General , South Dakota National Guard comments on Kuwait mission and the safe return of the troops of the SDNG 155th Engineer Company at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center’s Barnett Arena in Rapid City, SD. Photo: Herb Ryan/ Custer Free Press
SD Governor Dennis Daugaard welcomes the SDNG 155th Engineer Company back from their 10 month tour in Kuwait at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center’s Barnett Arena in Rapid City, SD. Photo: Herb Ryan/ Custer Free Press
SDNG 155th Engineer Company at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center’s Barnett Arena in Rapid City, SD. Photo: Herb Ryan/ Custer Free Press
South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard jumps the ribbon cutting countdown at the Custer State Park Visitors Center last week. L-R Doug, Hofer former director of SD state parks; Kelly Hepler, secretary of state Games, Fish and Parks;Katie Ceroll, Parks and Recreation division director; Cathy Peterson, charman of the Games, Fish and Parks Commision; Matt Snyder, director of Custer State Park; Governor Dennis Daugaard and Linda Daugaard; Dick Brown, co-development director of S.D. Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Photo: Herb Ryan/Custer Free PressThe new Custer State Park Visitors Center. (submitted photo)
A column by Gov. Dennis Daugaard:
Peter Norbeck was a very accomplished public servant. He served South Dakota as a legislator, lt. governor, governor and United States senator from 1909 to 1936. Of all things he achieved, he is most remembered as the “father of Custer State Park.”
Norbeck worked for 20 years to create Custer State Park, which is among the largest state parks in the United States. He designed many of the park’s roads. Thinking of the people who would travel to the area, Norbeck chose the route for Iron Mountain Road. Instead of the shortest route of 9 miles, he created a 16-mile road with fantastic views of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. He even helped construct fences at the park.
A marker placed at the Peter Norbeck Wildlife Preserve sums him up in this way: “His was the heritage of cold, strong lands; his the pioneer vision which saw far ahead, far beyond. He felt the strong heart throb of his beloved people commanding him to do greatly and be great. In these mountains he found a wilderness for them and labored to preserve its beauty unspoiled for them and for their children’s children. He is still present in every mile of road that he built, in the noble pines and towering rocks he loved, and in the hearts of the multitudes who will enjoy them.”
When he spoke at the First National Conference on State Parks in 1921, Peter Norbeck observed, “Parks are not merely picnicking places. They are rich store houses of memories and reveries. They are bearers of wonderful talks to him who will listen, a solace to the aged and an inspiration to the young.”
Likewise, Custer State Park is so much more than a picnicking place. Each year nearly 2 million people from all over the world come to see the buffalo, drive the wildlife loop, hike Lover’s Leap, fish on Legion Lake, and swim and kayak up at Sylvan. This 72,000-acre getaway destination is a place where memories are made.
With so many things to do and see, first-time visitors – and even seasoned guests – need a guide. Last week we celebrated the opening of a new state-of-the-art visitor center that will serve as that guide.
Visitors won’t be able to miss the new facility as they come into the park. They’ll be able to start at the visitor center to find out about the layout of the park, the many activity options and even where the buffalo are in the park at any given time. They’ll also have the chance to stop in the new state-of-the-art theater to watch a 20-minute introductory film called “Spirit of Tatanka” which is narrated by Academy Award winner Kevin Costner.
Establishing the Custer State Park visitor center took time, hard work and finances. An exemplary public-private relationship made this building a reality. In 2013 the Legislature approved my proposal to allocate $1.5 million for the visitor center. I am grateful to the legislators and taxpayers who saw this as a priority. I am also grateful to the private groups and individuals who contributed a total of $3.5 million for this project.
Whether you are well acquainted with Custer State Park or you have never been, I invite you to come to the park this summer and check out the new visitor center. It’s truly an addition the father of Custer State Park would be proud of.
PIERRE, S.D. – Officials from the South Dakota departments of Social Services and Human Services are in the process of reviewing the results of an investigation by the US Department of Justice received today on nursing home utilization.
In response to the letter, Gov. Dennis Daugaard said he is proud of the state’s track record on serving the elderly and those with disabilities.
“In South Dakota, we have undertaken a number of initiatives to allow more individuals to live independent lives,” Gov. Daugaard said. “Just in the last few years, we have expanded health care recruitment programs for rural communities; promoted employing people with disabilities; implemented a Money Follows the Person program; and increased provider rates for community-based services. Though I recognize we still have areas to improve upon, South Dakota has been making headway.”
According to the Department of Justice, South Dakota has a higher than average percentage of individuals living in nursing homes. In the letter, the Department says South Dakota should work to prevent unnecessary use of nursing home care.
While the state evaluates its options with the Department of Justice, the Governor said the state will continue its work to improve access to community based care.
“Ideally, we want elderly residents and people with disabilities to be able to stay in their communities and receive the services they need without going to a nursing home. That can be a challenge for a state like ours which is made up of rural communities,” said Gov. Daugaard.
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