By Charley Najacht
Sixty people attended the Flag Day event honoring Vietnam veterans Tuesday, June 14, at Custer High School. At least 40 of them were Vietnam veterans who each received a pin and certificate of recognition of their service. The event was organized by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) Black Hills and Harney Peak chapters, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
After singing a stirring rendition of the National Anthem, Miss South Dakota Autumn Simunek gave the keynote address on her platform that she has carried state-wide. The Hot Springs native said she started volunteering at the VA Center in high school and learned why it is important to give back to your community. “Flag Day is a perfect day to honor Vietnam Veterans,” she said.
Her platform is titled “5 Stars of Serving Those Who Served,” which she has presented at schools
throughout the state. The first star is to thank veterans for their service. The second is to celebrate heroes. The third is to give back to your community. The fourth is to volunteer and the final point is to hire a hero, she said. Simunek said she wanted to remind Americans that freedom is not free. "The flag is more than just a flag. It is the country’s voice of reedom,” she said. “As Miss South Dakota, I want to use my voice to thank veterans for their service. Today I stand here and say thank you and God bless the United States of America,” Simunek said.
Cathy Rosane, Harney Peak Chapter chaplain, NDSDAR, said the Vietnam War was the first to come directly into homes of the American public “with an unending display of graphic imagery from the battlefield.” She said, “Not since the Civil War had Americans faced such polarized division of its citizenry. They, like you, never asked for nor expected anything in return for their service,” she told veterans. “Vietnam veterans are far from ordinary people. You are humble, patriotic and selfless. We have only to look into your eyes and at the many thousands of names carved on the Vietnam Memorial Wall to realize the great pain and loss suffered by so many soldiers and those who love them,” Rosane said. She is being nationally recognized as a South Dakota Outstanding Daughter for her 50th anniversary Vietnam War commemorative efforts.
Mike Bekaert, representative of Sen. Mike Rounds, said the senator always proudly remembers the state’s welcome home salute to Vietnam veterans and the dedication of the Vietnam War Memorial in Pierre Sept. 15-16, 2006, when he was governor. Bekaert said Vietnam veterans never received a proper welcome home, but were still much appreciated. “I see people who visit the war memorial in Pierre and think of all our Vietnam vets. May God bless each and every one of you,” Bekaert said.
A second ceremony recognizing Vietnam veterans was held Tuesday afternoon at the State Veterans
Home in Hot Springs. Simunek and the 2016 Miss South Dakota contestants greeted veterans there.
(Photo and story used with permission of Custer County Chronicle)
[KEVN Black Hills FOX newsclip at http://www.blackhillsfox.com/content/news/Vietnam-Veterans-honored-on-Fl... ]
