12 Broadcaster Press November 7, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com The Veterans of Iraq & Afghanistan Owe Thanks and Gratitude to Vietnam Veterans By Chad Storlie I was speaking to a group of small business owners a few days ago about the benefits of military service and hiring military veterans for their businesses. As I received their still very special, “Thank You for Your Service,” compliments following my talk, I realized that the public displays of gratitude for military service have their origins in the failure to honor, recognize, and respect military veterans from the Vietnam War upon their return. In so many ways, my generation of military veterans owes an incredible debt of gratitude and respect to the actions that the Vietnam War military veterans took to create a worldclass military. Vietnam Veterans Fought As Brothers In A War That Divided the Country. One of the truly unappreciated themes of the Vietnam War is the quality, professionalism, and sacrifice of the US military in Vietnam when the country was rife with racial, political, and societal strife. Daily in the Vietnam War military personnel performed heroic acts, combat operations, logistical support, medical training, civilian support operations, and the myriad of other tasks that a deployed military force needs to operate successfully. This extreme professionalism and sacrifice by service members for each other in an unpopular war is one of my greatest areas of gratitude to Vietnam Veterans. Vietnam Veterans Gave The Military An Extreme Focus on Training. The best action that can be done for a military service member and a military force is difficult, challenging, and realistic combat training. I was just joining the US Army as the last generation of Vietnam War military veterans were in their final years of active service. My military training was marked by back crushing road marches, how to render lifesaving first aid, how to work with foreign military forces, and how to train to instantly assume the role of a military leader when the current leader was “injured.” These lessons all came from the truth that Vietnam War veterans experienced in their jungle battlefield. True to their service, they did not forget these lessons but ensured my generation learned them before we entered combat. Vietnam Veterans Personally Re-entered Society with Honor & Vibrancy. Vietnam Veterans were given so little when they returned home, but they gave so much back. Vietnam War veterans became business people, nurses, entrepreneurs, civil rights leaders, doctors, inventors, politicians, government officials, teachers, parents, and leading members in society. What is so remarkable is that as the country turned away from their military service, they turned toward the country in terms of what more they could provide to make the country better. The lesson for my generation of military veterans is clear, we can and need to do more to create an even better United States. Vietnam Veterans Innovated A Military Force That Was Technologically Superior. The military technology of the Vietnam War is scantly recognizable to today’s military. The Global Positioning System (GPS), scopes on nearly all combat rifles, 1st round accuracy on artillery systems, thermal sights on attack helicopters, armed drones, night vision devices, and scores of other improvements create a well-armed, well trained, and well led military. These innovations and improvements came from thousands of Vietnam Veterans who recognized that US military technology needed to improve quickly and drastically. On Veteran’s Day, seek out, discover, and listen to the stories of service and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans. The thanks, respect, hiring programs, and post-military treatment that the military veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan receive today is due in large part to the sense of gratitude for military service that was missing for military veterans of Vietnam. The United States owes more thanks and gratitude to this “great” generation of military veterans. Chad Storlie is an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at Creighton University, an Iraq Combat Veteran, and a Retired US Army Special Forces Officer. Follow Chad Storlie on Twitter @CombatToCorp and Connect on LinkedIn. ChadwickStorlie@Creighton.edu. SD National Guard Provides Domestic Operations Support RAPID CITY, S.D. - The South Dakota National Guard continued to provide domestic operations support to the citizens of South Dakota and the nation throughout 2017. Soldiers and Airmen responded to a variety of missions at the state and federal level that supported civil authorities, emergency management personnel and law enforcement agencies. "In times of need, South Dakota National Guard forces provide response and recovery assistance to federal, state and local governments," said Lt. Col. Jim Selchert, director of military support to civil authorities. "Civil authorities understand the unique capabilities of the National Guard when additional assets are needed in an emergency or natural disaster." Located in 22 communities across the state, the SDNG has more than 4,100 service members that can provide overwhelming capability and capacity to the governor before and after disasters strike. In 2017, Guard members were called up by Gov. Dennis Daugaard to support 11 state active duty missions that involved 90 personnel and totaled over 300 man-days. The majority of the response involved wildland fire support providing aerial water suppression assistance using HH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews and ground support personnel. The Army Guard responded to eight fires throughout the Black Hills and western South Dakota from March through September. "Helicopter flight crews certify annually with the South Dakota Wildland Fire Division in order to provide assistance when wildland fires develop," said Selchert. "The crews conduct water-bucket drops to aid firefighters on the ground by cooling off hot spots, save structures and help get some containment on the fire." When not dropping water, flight crews are also picking up people in need. One crew assisted in the rescue of a male hiker who was injured on Black Elk Peak and airlifted from Custer State Park on April 13. James Heating & Cooling “Quality Service with Reasonable Prices.” “Serving the Vermillion Area Since 1993” Vermillion, SD 57069 • 605-624-9140 Our Services Include: • Furnace and A/C Replacement/Repair • Hot Water Boiler Replace and Repair • Air Duct Cleaning • Window Replacements • In Floor Heating Systems Licensed & Insured • Call for a FREE Estimate Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber Photos and story from the Coyote football with Southern Illinois Oct. 28 in the DakotaDome, and the Summit League Cross Country Championship, held earlier that morning at The Bluffs Golf Course in Vermillion. A detailed report about the arrest of two members of the USD football team who face felony charges related to an alleged sexual assault. A feature story about the efforts of Ellie Pyles to make sure that needy families with infants have a supply of diapers. She had begun a non-profit called The Evan Project that since September has distributed over 1,000 diapers to 25 families in the Vermillion area. And if you want to see: Coverage of the swearing in ceremony of Steven Jensen as the newest justice on the South Dakota Supreme Court. The ceremony was held Friday, Nov. 3, in the courtroom at the University of South Dakota School of Law. Jensen, a native of Wakonda, has served 14 years as a circuit court judge in southeast South Dakota’s 1st Circuit. An update on the work to remodel a downtown building in Vermillion to serve as the Vermillion Chamber and Development Company’s office, a retail space for Charlie’s and an open work space. A feature about a Vermillion man who is following in his father’s footsteps and performing magic based on immersive storytelling and illusions. Pick up this Friday’s Plain Talk! Local news since 1884! Here for you yesterday, today and tomorrow. 201 W. Cherry, Vermillion, SD 57069 605-624-2695 The man was found near high rock formations by Custer County Search and Rescue personnel about two-thirds of the way up the 7,200-foot peak in rough terrain. The man was airlifted to Rapid City Regional Hospital for treatment. "Our aviation assets also provide a unique hoist capability to be able to safely remove personnel from difficult or hard to reach areas," said Selchert. "Our crews train every year with interagency partners for these scenarios." Another team training and ready to support a variety of local and state agencies in 2017 was the 82nd Civil Support Team. Deployable within 90 minutes, the 22-member unit conducted numerous exercises this past year to maintain their preparedness level for responding to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear threats. "We train constantly. Every month we do exercises. Sometimes we do a couple exercises in one week," said Lt. Col. Dale Gadbois, CST commander. "We have to constantly hone our skills because we have so much specialized equipment and we need to be on top of our training, and these exercises definitely afford us the ability to sustain our operations." The unit uses high-tech equipment for substance detection and has an array of testing, laboratory and communications gear to help identify natural or man-made hazardous materials. As the state's all-hazards response team, the 82nd serves as subject matter experts on any CBRN event and supports civil authorities in major disasters and help emergency management personnel get a clear picture of what's happening and how to address it. "It's very critical that we work with agencies in the local area, because as the Civil Support Team we typically work for an incident commander from a civilian-led agency, whether it be a fire department or law enforcement - and working with them and establishing relationships is going to pay dividends in the end when it comes to a real-world emergency or response. "By building relationships with first responders, law enforcement, fire departments and hazmat teams, we are able to interoperate, communicate and understand each other's capabilities and how we can complement each other during a response," said Gadbois. While the CST was training to protect against CBRN dangers, a new team was activated this year to respond to REMOVAL OF SNOW AND ICE The City of Vermillion Code Enforcement Department wishes to remind you that sidewalks are to be cleared of snow and ice within twentyfour (24) hours after any fall of snow or freezing rain. If snow and ice is not removed within this period, the City may do so by toner means and charge the cost of removal to the property owner. Please be courteous to others and remove snow and ice promptly. cyber threats. In June, an activation ceremony was held for the newest SDNG unit; Detachment 2, Cyber Protection Team 174. CPTs are part of the National Guard Bureau's ongoing growth of cyber forces throughout the Department of Defense. The team can be called up by the president or governor to assist local, state and federal agencies' in protecting domestic critical infrastructure and to provide support to law enforcement, homeland defense and defense support of civil authority activities in support of national objectives. "Our mission is to coordinate, train and assist mission partners in an advisory-type role to steer them in the right direction in the event of a cyberattack," said Staff Sgt. Mike Reiprich, senior security analyst for Det. 2, CPT 174. "We would strictly be an extra set of eyes for our mission partners in that advisory role." Reiprich also emphasized the team does not perform offensive cyberattacks to any intruder or potential attacker. "We're there to defend a network and protect it if an intrusion happens," he said. "We are preventative and then reactive until a network is secured." However, it's not just within the state that South Dakota Guardsmen responded this year. When disaster stuck the island of Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the state responded. Gov. Daugaard activated four members of Company A, 139th Brigade Support Battalion, at the request of Puerto Rico government authorities to help with recovery operations and provide water distribution capabilities to those in need. On Oct. 8, the Soldiers deployed with two Load Handling System vehicles and trailers equipped with four Compatible Water Tank Racks, or "Hippos." The Hippo has the capability to receive, store and distribute up to 2,000 gallons of potable water per system. Whether responding to natural disasters or preparing to defend against cyberattacks, on any given day, SDNG Airmen and Soldiers are ready to provide assistance. "The National Guard is the military first responder for our communities, state and nation and the primary domestic response option for the Department of Defense," Selchert said. "We stand trained and prepared to assist civil authorities in protecting lives and property." Music-Filled Veterans Day Program Is Nov. 10 in Vermillion By David Lias david.lias@plaintalk.net Alan Aldrich will be the special guest at the Veterans Day ceremony scheduled Friday, Nov. 10, at Vermillion High School. The program, hosted by Vermillion American Legion Post 1 and the high school, will begin at 9:50 a.m. with a procession of all local veterans followed by the presentation of colors by members of the USD ROTC. The Vermillion High School Band will perform the marches of the various armed forces as the veterans are entering the gymnasium. Following a POW/MIA recognition, the Pledge of Allegiance and the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” a moment of silence will be held and local veterans will be recognized for their military service. Other music will follow, including the performance of Tim McGraw’s “If You’re Reading This,” by Mitch Olson and Kyle Brouwer with the Vermillion High School Choir. Fifth graders from St. Agnes Elementary School will sing “We Share America,” by Teresa Jennings. Following the song, a video produced by the Vermillion Middle School will be shown. Jolley Elementary School’s fifth grade “What Veterans Day Means To Me” essay winners will then be introduced. Other music that will be offered that morning includes the song “A Grateful Nation,” by Teresa Jennings which will be sung by students from Austin Elementary, and “America the Beautiful,” which will be performed by the VHS Choir. The Veteran’s Day ceremony will close with a 21 gun salute by the Vermillion VFW Honor Guard, and the playing of “Taps” by VHS students Carl Fairholm, Raise your expectations. Ethan Simmons and Luke Van Peursem. Awards will be presented 101 W Main St | 605.624.4461 | cortrustbank.com by Vermillion American Legion Post 1, and the colors will be retired by USD ROTC members. ID 405612 If you have any questions, you may contact the Code Enforcement Office at 677-7089. Over 20,000 Free ATMs Nationwide