Hugh "Homer" Holmes of Mitchell, SD, was elected as the new Department Commander for the South Dakota American Legion on June 18, 2017, in the final session of the 99th Department Convention in Watertown, SD. He is serving as Department Commander for 2017-2018.
He grew up in Doland and following graduation from Doland High School, he attended Southern State College/ University of South Dakota at Springfield majoring in mathematics. After college, Commander Holmes was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, eventually attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He then taught math at Crow Creek Tribal High School. His last full-time employment was with the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation in Mitchell. He was a part-time employee with the Mitchell JC Penney stone for 10 years.
Commander Holmes' military assignments include Fort Riley, KS; South Korea; Fort Bliss, TX, West Germany, Presidio of San Francisco, CA; and Fort Monroe, VA. The first half of his Army career was in the Air Defense Artillery and the second half in personnel.
Commander Holmes is a 26-year Paid-up-for-life member of post 18 in Mitchell and currently is the Adjutant. He had been a State Vice Commander, State membership chairman, Americanism commission member, fiance commission member, District Commander and held various post positions.
He is a member of Corn Palace Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2750, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1054, Korean War Veterans Association, the 40 & 8, Masons, El Riad Shriners, and Boy Scouts of America. In 2011, he was awarded the Robert C. Gabrielson Memorial Leadership Award.
Commander Holmes is married to the former Linda Stirling of Parkston and has a son in the US Army at Fort Campbell, KY and a daughter teaching Art in California. They have 4 grandchildren.
