Broadcaster Press 3 March 29, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com Inscribing A Legacy By Rep. Kristi Noem It was 1942 – less than a year after Pearl Harbor and months after America officially entered World War II. Tens of thousands of men had left their families to serve their country. Millions more were standing at the ready to do the same. And still, the United States faced a severe shortage of military pilots. As businesses and factories had already done, the Army turned to women. Throughout our military’s history, women have filled critical roles – even if they haven’t always been recognized for it. In the American Revolution, women were nurses and cooks. In the Civil War, women like Frances Clalin – a mother of 3 who enlisted in the Union Army as Jack Williams – disguised themselves as men just to have the opportunity to serve in this way. By World War I, tens of thousands of women had joined the military in various roles, serving as nurses, telephone operators, stenographers, and clerks. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, every branch of the military created additional roles for women. More than a quarter-million women stepped up to serve, including more than 1,000 young female aviators who came to be called the “Women Airforce Service Pilots,” or WASP. The women in WASP, who logged around 60 million miles of flying, transported cargo. They tested overhauled planes and flew new aircraft from the factory to a military base. They often towed targets to help gunners in the air and on the ground train – with live ammunition, mind you. 38 of these women lost their lives during such missions. Still, women from across the country volunteered for service. Around a halfdozen South Dakotans served in the WASPs, including Ola Mildred Rexroat, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota who was the only Native American to serve in the group. What’s more, women offered up everything they had to be part of WASP. While male pilots would be trained once they joined the military, women had to have their pilot’s license before applying to join WASP, which cost about $500 – a significant amount of money at that time. Many of the women hoped they would be absorbed into the military after the war, but instead, the program was disbanded. The women were dismissed from their bases with no ceremony or fanfare, in many cases. Because WASPs were considered civil service employees, the fallen women Lewis And Clark Lake Study Updates To Be Discussed At MSAC’s Annual Meeting received no military honors or benefits. In fact, it took 32 years after the end of World War II for WASPs to finally receive full military status, meaning they could use VA hospitals and had the right to be buried with a flag, among other things. Thirty-three years after that, 300 of these women gathered in Washington, D.C., to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. Earlier this month, the House passed H.R.4336, which I helped sponsor, to grant WASP members a place in Arlington National Cemetery. Should this legislation be made law, it would not only offer our nation’s appreciation for the women’s service, but inscribe their lasting legacy into this sacred ground. We owe everyone who has served and sacrificed in service to our country a great deal of gratitude. While there is certainly more that should be done on all fronts to ensure veterans receive the care, respect, and dignity they have earned, the WASP legislation rightly recognizes the courageous actions of a few good women. I am humbled to have been a part of its passage. To all those who have served, thank you. YANKTON – Corps researchers are taking closer looks at numerous issues surrounding sedimentation problems at Lewis and Clark Lake. Hear updates from hydraulic engineer Paul Boyd, of the US Army Corps of Engineers – Omaha District, at the Missouri Sedimentation Action Coalition’s Annual Meeting April 4 beginning at 11 a.m. at The Landing Restaurant event room in historic downtown Yankton. Topics of Boyd’s presentation include the flushing study, preliminary information on a dredging analysis report, a modeling study at Spencer Dam on the Niobrara River, and a new study looking at the downstream impacts of increasing sediment discharge from Gavins Point Dam along with an assessment of the impacts of long term sediment starvation below Dam. MSAC recognizes the important role of research in finding solutions to sedimentation at Lewis and Clark Lake. “News of another study can be discouraging to the public demanding that action be taken to address sediment at Lewis and Clark Lake. However, these are steps forward. It is encouraging we are thinking about what the impacts are downstream of the dam with discharging sediment,” said Sandra Stockholm, MSAC executive director. “Addressing sedimentation at Lewis and Clark Lake shouldn’t be a question of if it is done, but when and how.” Answers to the public issue of accumulating sediment in Missouri River reservoirs are not found overnight. MSAC is recognizing the dedication of a university researcher to put forth ideas. Join MSAC in applauding the research efforts of Howard Coker of Vermillion, as MSAC recognizes Coker as a Friend of the River. Since MSAC was founded in 2001, it has recognized four individuals and one organization as Friends of the River for their outstanding contributions in forging a path to educate the public about the problems caused by sediment accumulation and why the benefits provided by the dams and reservoirs of the Missouri River are so precious. For information on MSAC’s Friends of the River and the sedimentation problems in the Missouri River reservoirs visit: www.msaconline.com. All MSAC members, potential members, and the general public are invited and encouraged to attend the annual meeting beginning at 11 a.m. April 4. Brief business items are on the agenda including the election of three individuals to the board of directors for three-year terms. The following three directors have terms which are expiring: Charlie Broadcaster Classifieds… Gross, at-large member; Butch Becker, representing individual ROCK-SOLID RESULTS! members; and Randy Holmquist representing commercial 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD • 605-624-4429 members. After the annual meeting, the public is also invited to join MSAC for its board of directors meeting at approximately 1:15 p.m. The Landing is located at 104 Capital Street in downtown Yankton. MSAC also will update attendees on the organization’s activities, future goals and recent developments involving sedimentation. 66th Annual All-State Band To Feature South Dakota’s Top High School Band Musicians The sixty-sixth annual South Dakota All-State Band Concert will be held at DD Miller Auditorium in Watertown on Saturday, April 2. Each year, the All-State Band brings together South Dakota's most talented high school instrumental musicians and provides an opportunity for students to practice and perform under the direction of conductors who may be recognized around the world. The students participating in the 2016 AllState Band were selected through statewide competitive auditions that were held at six sites during the month of January. The 2016 All-State Band is made up of 203 students from 45 high schools. The members of the All-State Band have been divided into two equal bands, with each band being directed by its own guest conductor. The smaller bands have been named after two of the most prominent names from South Dakota history, Lewis and Clark. The Lewis Band will be directed by Dr. Linda Moorhouse from the University of Il- linois, and the Clark Band will be directed by Dr. John Locke from the University of North Carolina. The Lewis Band will perform on Saturday, April 2nd beginning at 4:00 p.m., followed by the Clark Band. Ten minutes prior to the concert, special awards will be presented by the South Dakota Bandmasters Association, the South Dakota High School Activities Association, and the Phi Beta Mu honorary music group. Receiving the SDHSAA Distinguished Service Award for the furtherance of high school activities in South Dakota is Jacklynn Stacey of Watertown, and Dr. Grant Manhart of Northern State University. The South Dakota Bandmasters will be inducting Robert Carlson into their Hall of Fame. The doors to the concert will open at 2:30 p.m. All tickets for the All-State Concert are general admission. The ticket price will be $15 for adults and $10 for high school and elementary students. SDHSAA Recognizes "Outstanding" High School Student Councils The South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) announced today that thirty South Dakota high school student councils have been recognized as being “Outstanding Student Councils” for the 2015-16 school year. This is the twenty-sixth year that this statewide program has been sponsored by the SDHSAA to recognize those South Dakota high school student council’s that meet or exceed the rigorous standards of excellence that are necessary to achieve the “Outstanding Student Council” designation. Student councils that achieve the "Outstanding Council" recognition can best be described as being “very” active within their school and their community throughout the school year. “Outstanding Councils” excel in having a well-rounded program of activities and projects for the year. The work completed by these "Outstanding Student Councils" has been a benefit to both their school and their community throughout the school year. The major focus of the "SDHSAA Outstanding Student Council" program consists of each participating student council completing a self-evaluation of their organizational structure and their successful completion of projects in a variety of areas. The evaluation also considers the involvement of the student council in their school and community. It is the intention of the High School Activities Association to recognize those student councils that meet the stringent standards and criteria demanded by this program. The thirty student councils that have been recognized with this year’s ‘Outstanding’ designation are each well organized and highly motivated. These student councils have met the rigorous standards necessary to be called ‘Outstanding’. The self-evaluation focuses upon the structure of the student council as well as the positive involvement of the student council in the activities of their school and community. To be recognized as an “Outstanding Student Council” every council was involved in various projects in the areas of "Community and School Service", "Health, Safety or Chemical Awareness", "Education”, "Leadership” and others. Completion of projects in a wide range of areas was necessary to fulfill a variety of goals for the student council. Each school receiving the "SDHSAA Outstanding Student Council" award has demonstrated a desire for selfimprovement and individual growth by participating in leadership workshops and conventions as well as other educational programs. The 2015-16 “SDHSAA Outstanding Student Council” Award recipients include the following area schools: • Canton High School, Advisor: Nicole Nelson • Dakota Valley High School, Advisor: James Schmit/Kim Bacon • Lennox High School, Advisor: Madeline Kroger • Vermillion High School, Advisor: Paige Chapman • Yankton High School, Advisor: Becky Tasa The ultimate value of the ‘Outstanding Student Council’ program is the revelations which a Student Council discovers about itself and the creation of an awareness of areas for improvement that each school needs to make in the future. Those Student Councils that receive the ‘Outstanding’ designation, irregardless whether the council is from a larger school or a smaller school, are deserving of the recognition. Find the Right People Advertise your job openings in the Broadcaster. Broadcaster Classifieds… ROCK-SOLID RESULTS! 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD • 605-624-4429 To find an Edward Jones office near you, call 1-800-ED JONES. To find an Edward Jones office near you, call 1-800-ED JONES. To find an Edward Jones office near you, call 1-800-ED JONES. 201 W Cherry Curt Robinson Curt Robinson Vermillion Curt Robinson 23 Market Street 23 Market23 Market Street Street Vermillion, SD 57069 624-4429 Vermillion,Vermillion, SD 57069 SD 57069 605-624-2028 . . . 605-624-2028 605-624-2028 • AUTOMOTIVE COLLISION REPAIR • PAINT • FRAMEWORK • GLASS REPLACEMENT HOURS: www.edwardjones.com An open house is planned to celebrate from 1205 CARR STREET • VERMILLION • 605.670.0471 BlainesBodyShop@gmail.com 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Saturday April 2nd, T hanks to all who sent cards, provided food, memorial gifts given, and expressions of sympathy at the death of Margaret Boldenow. Special thanks to Steve Miller for his words of comfort and to Gretchen Burbach and Spencer Smith for music provided at the funeral. Also thanks to the good people of Vermillion UCC for serving a wonderful lunch. at Townsquare Apartments Community Room, 505 W. Main, Vermillion, SD (back building #507). The event is being hosted by his children, Kathy, Ron, Jean, Sherri and Mike. No gifts are requested. Birthday greetings may be sent to: 505 W. Main #112, Vermillion, SD 57069 -Licensed -Bonded -Insured Family of Margaret Boldenow Locally Owned and Operated Since 1972 IF WE WEREN’T ALREADY RED, WE WOULD BE BLUSHING We have 18 years of truck leadership under our belts. We’ve picked up a few things the copies missed. Wakonda, SD • 605-267-2768 • Cell: 605-661-1063 LONG REACH EXCAVATOR WITH 65’ OF REACH Give us a call for a quote … Laser Guided Ditching Stock Dam Cleanout Lagoon Cleanout • Bank Stabilization Rip Rap Placement • Demolition CALL Visit UnitedWayofVermillion.org for more information. 23 Market Street Street 23 Market 23 Market SD 57069 Vermillion, Street Vermillion, SD Vermillion, SD 57069 57069 605-624-2028 605-624-2028 605-624-2028 . Raymond Sloan will turn 80 on March 24, 2016! M-F 9AM-6PM SAT 9AM-12PM 3211 E. Hwy. 50 • Yankton, SD 745 E. Hwy 46 • Wagner, SD 605-665-4540 • 800-526-8095 605-384-3681 • 800-693-1990 Or visit us at www.marksinc.com United Way of Vermillion is taking applications for funding from local non-profit organizations from April 1-30. Patrick M Patrick M HigginsHiggins . . Patrick Advisor FinancialM Higgins TODAY! ALL TYPES OF DIRT WORK - FREE ESTIMATES Bobcats • Crane • Dozers • Excavators • Grader Grain Trailer • Scrapers • Side Dumps • Trenchers Irrigation Sales & Service Vermillion, SD (605)670-9567 Hartington, NE (402)254-2568 Licensed in SD, NE & IA Irrigation PVC, Wire Installed, Well Drilling Domestic & Irrigation Pump Installation WATERLINE & ELECTRIC TRENCHING Tree & Concrete Removal, Site Clearing, & Ditch Trenching