012318_YKBP_A8.pdf
8 Broadcaster Press
January 23, 2018 www.broadcasteronline.com
One South Dakotan’s Purple Heart Story, 73 Years Overdue
By Sen. Mike Rounds
One of the important services that our Senate office provides to South Dakotans is assistance in dealing with federal
agencies. Over the past three years that I’ve been in office, we
have helped countless South Dakotans navigate the bureaucracy of the federal government. With such a large population
of veterans living in our state, we often work with different
agencies on behalf of veterans. In some cases, we’re able to
assist veterans in receiving overdue ribbons and commendations that have been lost in federal paperwork.
We recently had the honor of helping a veteran from
Flandreau receive a long overdue Purple Heart Medal. Sylvan
Vigness honorably served his country in World War II. On
April 1, 1945, Mr. Vigness was serving onboard the U.S.S. Hinsdale when it was hit by a kamikaze during the Battle of Iwo
Jima. Mr. Vigness lost sight in his left eye after the attack, and
is permanently blind in that eye as a result. Amid the chaos
of the attack, the medical records onboard the ship from that
day were lost or destroyed, and because of that, Mr. Vigness
was denied the Purple Heart for decades.
The Vigness family has spent the past 25 years seeking a
Purple Heart for Mr. Vigness, working with my predecessors in
the Senate to obtain this long overdue medal. The request was
continuously denied because the Navy was unable to locate
his medical records from the time of the attack. When the
Vigness family contacted our office to look into obtaining the
Purple Heart, we began putting together witness statements
from his shipmates, along with other materials related to his
service and subsequent eye injury. We then sent a letter to the
Secretary of the Navy, Richard Spencer, requesting the medal
for Mr. Vigness, and I had an opportunity to speak directly to
the Secretary about it at the Pentagon. On January 17, 2018,
Secretary Spencer notified my office that at his request, under
the direction of the president, Mr. Vigness, now aged 94, will
finally receive the Purple Heart.
Mr. Vigness is a hero who bravely defended his country in
World War II, and is fully deserving of the Purple Heart Medal.
We’re thankful to him for his service, and we’re thankful to his
family and friends for not giving up on seeking this recognition
for him. Like Mr. Vigness, the men and women who wear the
uniform of the United States make incredible sacrifices to defend our freedoms and our way of life. I’m extremely grateful
for the president’s personal interest in directing that special
attention be paid to getting veterans their overdue medals, as
well as for Secretary Spencer, who personally reviewed Mr. Vigness’ medical records and personal statement and awarded
him the Purple Heart.
If there are other veterans and families in South Dakota
who are seeking to obtain a medal or award, please reach out
to our office and if we can, we’ll try to help with that effort.
Call or stop in to our Pierre, Rapid City or Sioux Falls offices
any time. Location information and phone numbers can be
found on our website, www.rounds.senate.gov.
South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation Accepting
Applications For Scholarship Program
Members of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation
invite students throughout South Dakota to apply for their
scholarship program. In 2016, a scholarship program was
established by the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation.The
South Dakota Cattlemen's Foundation was formed to support
the long-term viability of the South Dakota beef Industry by
promoting the nutritional benefits of beef consumption and
value of modern production. This scholarship aims to identify
and reward students who are interested in the improvement
of beef production and promotion. Scholarships of $5,000,
$4,000, $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 will be awarded to five
students from South Dakota enrolled in any post-secondary
institution in South Dakota.
The online scholarship application can be found at http://
SDCFScholarships.com
Deadline to apply is Sunday, April 1, 2018.
The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation joined forces
with Feeding South Dakota in May 2013 to create a signature
event, Prime Time Gala & Concert, that raises critical funds for
their mission by providing more beef to food insecure families
throughout the state. Funds also raised from the Prime Time
Gala & Concert support the scholarship program that provides $15,000 in funding to students throughout South Dakota.
Since hosting the first event in June 2014, the South Dakota
Cattlemen’s Foundation has raised over $737,508 for Feeding
South Dakota.
The South Dakota Cattlemen’s Foundation will host its fifth
annual Prime Time Gala & Concert on Saturday, June 23, 2018
at the Sioux Falls Convention Center with a country music
concert to follow at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.
Sustaining the Legacy
Farm Transition
Planning Programs
BROOKINGS, S.D. - Passing the family farm or ranch operation on to the next generation is the focus of SDSU Extension's
Sustaining the Legacy programs held in Sioux Falls and Pierre.
The Sioux Falls event will be held February 1, 8 and 15 and
the Pierre event will be held February 13, 20 and 27.
"Bringing the next generation back to the family farm or
ranch is important to many South Dakota families," said Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management
Field Specialist. "Before that decision is made, there are many
intentional conversations and plans that need to be covered."
Topics will include the following:
•Wages and salary compensation;
•Policy creation; Creating a business structure;
•How life insurance, trusts and other tools can aid with the
transition;
•New tax laws, and other details related to passing an agriculture operation to the next generation.
"We hope all members of the family involved in the operation will be able to attend these sessions together," Gessner
said. "This not only ensures all family members hear the same
information, but also generates questions and conversation
that benefits all attendees at the conference. It is our hope,
that this program spurs transition plan development," Gessner
said.
Sioux Falls, Sustaining the Legacy program will be held Feb.
1, 8 and 15 at the SDSU Extension Regional Extension Center
(2001 E. 8th Street).
Registration is due Jan. 29.
Pierre, Sustaining the Legacy Program will be held Feb. 13,
20 and 27 at the SDSU Extension Regional Center (412 W. Missouri Ave).
Registration deadline is Feb. 7.
Both programs will run each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lunch and breaks provided.
Participants are expected to attend all three sessions.
To help cover expenses registration for the event is $100
and includes up to five family members. To register, mail a
check for $100 to SDSU Extension, Attn. Heather Gessner, 2001
E. 8th Street, Sioux Falls SD, 57103. Include the names and
contact information for all attendees.
For more information, contact Gessner at 605.782.3290 or
by email.
Auctions
Land & Property • Antiques • Consignments • Farm • Auto & more...
Upcoming Auctions
Tourism Industry Posts Gains
In 2017 Industry Attains Eight
Straight Years Of Growth
ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLE
ESTATE AUCTION
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Located: Skylon Ballroom - 320 S. Robinson St. - Hartington, NE
AUCTION Starts @ 10:00 AM
LUNCH AVAILABLE
AUCTIONEERS’ NOTE: Here is another great line up of nice collectibles from an
estate that we continue to liquidate. This listing is only a highlight of the great
items to be sold. We will also have an offering of several small collectibles
from display cases that will be sold in a separate auction ring, so plan
accordingly for the second ring. Visit our Web Site www.CHJAUCTIONEERS.
COM for many photos. For weather updates call 402-254-9753.
ADV. CLOCKS: International Harvester Adv. Clock. 7up Advertising
Clock. Schmidt Beer Adv. Clock. Coca Cola Adv. Clock. Dr. Pepper
Adv. Clock. Roberts Milk Adv. Clock. INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER ADV. ITEMS: Large Metal IH Advertising Sign. IHC Adv. Match
Books. IHC Tractor Radio & Tool Box. Some Misc. NOS Tractor
Parts—Pistons Etc.. VINTAGE TOYS: IHC 806 Pedal Tractor w/Cart.
Toy Airplanes. Tonka Motor Transport Truck. Toy Jeeps & Tonka Toys.
Structo Livestock Truck. Structo Express Semi Truck & Trailer. Lazy
Day Farm Livestock Straight Truck. Go Gambles Semi & Trailer. IHC
Farm Toys—NIB—986 & 1468. Train Set & Fischer Price Toys. Plus
other Toys of all Types. STONEWARE ROLLING PIN: “Mills Grocery Dept.—Stoneware Adv. Rolling Pin. ADV. SIGNS: Coca Cola
Button Sign. Budweiser Spuds Mackenzie Light Up Dog Bar Light.
Lighted Budweiser Sign. Bud Light Lighted Sign. COLLECTIBLE
BICYCLES: Vintage Schwinn Bicycle. Coast to Coast Bicycle. Firestone Cruiser . Coaster Wagon. COLLECTIBLES: Oak Slant Front
Table Top Display Case 20”x25”x90”. Globe Wernicke Co.—4 Section Stackable Bookcase. Columbia California Floor Model Victrola.
Primitive Sugar Cane Cutter ?? - Very Unique Item. Coca Cola Adv.
Card Table w/4 Metal Folding Chairs. Coca Cola Umbrella—from
1984 Olympics. Brass Candle Stick Phone. Western Electric Oak
Wall Telephone. Pig & Chicken Direction Arrows. Short Tail Horse
Windmill Weight. Hand Operated Printing Press. Shoe Shine Box.
Vintage License Plates. Cigar Boxes. Primitive Yard Gate. Montgomery Wards Table Top Cream Separator. Fallstaff Cardboard Adv. Beer
Box. Keen Kutter “Reel Type” Lawn Mower. Pitcher Pump & Well
Pump. Coca Cola Cookie Jar. Adv. Tire Ash Trays. Old Spark Plugs.
3 Gal. Brown Beehive Crock Jug. Nu-Way Potato Peeler w/Sales
Manual. Ford & IHC Oil Cans. Mobil & Coop Motor Oil 5 Gallon Cans.
Wicker Baby Buggy. Many Vintage Games. Contemporary Mechanical Banks. Winchester Decanters. Aladdin Corinthian Clear Bowl
Green Base Lamp. Aladdin Washington Drape Clear Bowl Lamp.
Hurricane Lamp, Plus Several Other Kerosene Lamps. Old Dolls, &
Quilts. Many Nice Old Prints.. Several Collectible Hand Bells. Several
Tea Pots. Roseville Pottery Pieces. Hull Pottery Pieces. Weller Candle Sticks. Prayer Ladies & Head Vases. Texas Ware Bowls. Redwing
Spongeware Bowl. Wausa, Osmond & Norfolk Advertising Pieces.
Cloth Flour Sacks. Cast Iron Tea Pot. Vintage Lunch Pails. Glass
Butter Churn. Milk Bottles. Adv. Coffee Tins & Spice Tins. Wooden
Sleds, Pop Cases, Nail Kegs & Rug Beaters. Plus Many More Miscellaneous Items too numerous to mention.
Terms of Auction: Cash or Bankable Check - not responsible for accidents
or theft. For more information & many photos visit our web site:
WWW.CHJAUCTIONEERS.COM
AUCTION CONDUCTED BY:
Creamer Heimes Janssen Auctioneers & Appraisers L.L.C.
AUCTIONEERS: Ryan Creamer 402-254-9753
Alton Heimes 402-254-3315 Roger Janssen 402-388-4409
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota tourism industry has
once again posted an increase in visitation, visitor spending, and overall impact on the state’s economy in 2017.
This marks eight straight years of economic growth.
According to a new study by Tourism Economics,
visitor spending reached $3.9 billion in 2017, an increase
of 1.2 percent from 2016. This contributed $2.6 billion in GDP to South Dakota’s economy, up 3.2 percent
from 2016. These dollars flow through the South Dakota
economy, supporting more than 53,900 jobs and generating more than $290 million in state and local tax revenue.
Visitation to South Dakota remained steady at 13.9 million visitors, an increase of 0.1 percent from the previous
year.
“The tourism industry continues to be an incredibly
important and vital part of the South Dakota economy,”
said James Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism. “Along with other industries, the tourism industry
felt the indirect effects of a struggling agriculture economy across the Midwest and the decreased discretionary
income of households in the region. But despite that, as
it always does, this industry demonstrated great perseverance and we couldn’t be happier about our growth
in 2017. Our targeted marketing efforts and continued
media coverage, combined with the marketing work
of our partners across the state, paid off for the entire
industry,” continued Hagen.
The tourism industry faced the challenge of topping
numbers after two consecutive years of major anniversaries in the state that drew large numbers of visitors. 2015
marked the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle
Rally and the 50th anniversary of the Custer State Park
Buffalo Roundup. 2016 was the 100th anniversary of the
National Park Service and the 75th anniversary of the
completion of Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
“We knew sustaining growth following two years of
major anniversaries wasn’t going to be easy,” noted
Hagen. “It’s extremely rewarding to see that our marketing tactics paid off and that South Dakota continues to be
a major lure for visitors from across the world.”
2017 economic impact stats (percentages show increases from 2016)*:
•13.9 million – number of visitors that came to South
Dakota, an increase of 0.1 percent
•$3.88 billion – amount of visitor spending, an increase of 1.2 percent
•$2.6 billion – amount of GDP contributed to the
state’s economy, an increase of 3.2 percent
•$291 million – state and local tax dollars generated
by travel and tourism activity, an increase of $12 million
•$871 – the amount of tax dollars each South Dakota
household saves because of the tourism industry
•53,894 – number of jobs sustained by the tourism
industry, an increase of 1.2 percent
Additional 2017 travel indicators:
•60 percent – average hotel occupancy for the year
•5.1 million – number of
visitors to South Dakota’s
national parks
•57,000 - additional
visitors to South Dakota’s
state parks in 2016, which
brought in $700,000 in additional revenue
•$63.7 million – amount
of advertising value earned
through domestic and international public relations
efforts in calendar year
2017, an increase of $37
million over 2016
•5.6 billion – number
of impressions earned
through domestic and international public relations
efforts in calendar year
2017
To view the full Tourism
Economics report, visit
www.SDVisit.com.