February 19, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com SD National Guard Hosts 35th Annual Dining-Out PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota prominently displayed in public areas continual skill, professionalism, courNational Guard hosted its 2019 Dining- of Sanford facilities for all to see," age and work ethic, which you display Out at the Ramkota Hotel and Conven- Carlson said. on a daily basis. We are enormously tion Center in Pierre, Feb. 7. "Employers are inextricably linked grateful for your service and sacrifice, The annual event brings together to the nation's defense by sharing and for that of your families." Guardsmen from across the state for their most precious assets, their Past recipients of the award a formal evening to honor the oremployees," Carlson added. "Sanford include: Former Adjutants General ganization's history and to recognize Health is deserving of this recognition Phil Killey and Harold Sykora; former individual and unit achievements from for their outstanding contributions to U.S. Senators Tom Daschle and Tim the past year. our military services. Their leadership Johnson; and former Governors Mike The atmosphere, while formal, exemplifies the patriotic spirit that is Rounds and Dennis Daugaard. includes deep-rooted traditions which alive and well here in our great State of The Adjutant General's Family lighten the mood and provide both South Dakota." Award - The Nightingale Family members and guests not only plenty The Williamson Militiaman Award To conclude the awards portion of of laughs, but a chance to learn some Sen. John Thune the evening, The Adjutant General's of the organization's history, traditions The SDNG next awarded the 2019 Family Award was presented to Kayla and an opportunity to recognize indiWilliamson Militiaman Award to Sen. and Tech. Sgt. Zane Nightingale with vidual and unit achievements. John Thune. the 114th Fighter Wing. A video highlighting the many acThe Williamson Militiaman Award, The award recognizes family complishments made by the men and established in 1987 by Maj. Gen. members who support their service women of the SDNG in 2018 was shown Ronald F. Williamson, recognizes an members in a truly exemplary manner in addition to comments from Gov. individual who exemplifies the spirit of while managing family, careers, or Kristi Noem and Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, the citizen-Soldier or Airman as shown even hardship, all the while not seekthe SDNG adjutant general. The Naby their community leadership, their ing recognition for their sacrifices. tional Guard also recognized a family, support of the National Guard and the "Kayla stepped up to be the key an employer and a public servant with defense of the country. volunteer with the program when awards recognizing their contributions "Sen. John Thune has been an arit began three years ago," said Maj. to the SDNG mission. dent supporter of the National Guard Quenten Johnson, director of the Pro Patria Award - Sanford Health throughout his days as a congressman SDNG's Service Member and Family The awards portion of the evening in the U.S. House of Representatives Support. "Since then, she has dedibegan by presenting Sanford Health and as a United States senator," said cated hundreds of hours to the Family with the South Dakota Employer SupMaj. Gen. Reisch. "He is a perennial Volunteer Group, as well as her own port of the Guard and Reserve Pro supporter and advocate for the U.S. programs, to connect with the families Patria Award. Armed Forces, the National Guard and of the maintenance squadron." The Pro Patria Award is presented for the veterans of South Dakota.” This past year, Kayla dedicated annually to one South Dakota employThune served on the Senate Armed over 125 hours attending meetings and er who provides exceptional support Services Committee and was a rankmaking phone calls to family members to national defense through leadering member on the Readiness and of deployed Airmen, which included ship practices and personnel policies Management Subcommittee, which her husband Zane. She was on the that support employees serving in the oversaw military readiness including phone almost daily with Airmen and National Guard or Reserve. military construction, training, logisfamily members and pulled in new volMaster Sgt. Nathan Peterson, chief tics, maintenance and installations. unteers, building the Family Volunteer of staff and vice president of strateThroughout his political career, Group. gic planning for Sanford Health and Thune has fought for the moderni"Kayla even arranged the first 'cofa member of the South Dakota Air zation of equipment and facilities fee and conversation' event, where National Guard's 114th Fighter Wing, required to ensure the success of the families could visit with each other, nominated his employer for the award. National Guard responding to emerleadership and with an Airman who "Sanford Health, with its nearly gencies here at home, as well as servreturned from deployment to begin 50,000 employees in 26 states, undering in combat missions abroad. the transition process," said Johnson. stands that our nation's employers "Sen. Thune supported the eleva"Her work with leadership is second are inextricably linked to our nation's tion of the Chief of the National Guard to none. Kayla is who they call to help defense by sharing their most precious to a four-star position and inclusion as build the foundation of care." assets, their employees," said Capt. a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," Zane and Kayla were also instruChad Carlson, executive director for Reisch added. "This is considered one mental in helping set up two self-dethe SD ESGR committee. of the most significant steps forward fense classes for wing families prior to As a result, they established the for the National Guard in our history." and during the Air Expeditionary Force Sanford Department of Veteran and Thune has also committed countdeployment last year. This was the Military Services, which takes the less hours of his time demonstrating first time the wing had offered such an lead on actively recruiting, employing his personal support time and time event and about 30 family members and retaining service members and again, attending nearly every deployand friends attended and learned how veterans. ment or welcome home ceremony for to defend and protect themselves. "I have served in the Air National South Dakota Army and Air National "Kayla is the 'go-to' for wing families Guard for the entirety of my eight Guard units since 9/11. when there is a hardship or need of years at Sanford Health. During that When members of the 114th Fighter support," Johnson said. "She has betime, my employer has always made Wing returned home from a deploycome a great role model for our other any necessary accommodations for ment to South Korea, Thune made key volunteers helping guide their me to complete my military obligait a point to be there to personally path during challenging times." tions, including routine training, welcome the Airmen home as they Kayla also engaged directly with periodic schools and short-notice disembarked the plane. the Family Volunteer Group, the activations," Master Sgt. Peterson said. Thune continues to demonstrate Airman and Family Programs office, "I've had other employers that suphis support for veterans and has and with the wing during the Yellow ported my military service, but none been a tireless advocate to sustain Ribbon programs, military send offs, have done more to support me and my operations at the Hot Springs Veterans family day events, and the SDNG Famfamily than Sanford Health." Home. He is a strong proponent for ily & Youth Symposium. Peterson said he experienced the Veterans History Project, where he "The Nightingale family is the pillar Save its was Summer AC his father, Harfirsthand Sanford's commitment to $30 on a able to interview Tune-Up! of excellence when it comes to the service members when he deployed to old Thune, who served in World War II 114th Fighter Wing and to the South Afghanistan in 2018. as a fighter pilot. Dakota National Guard," said Johnson. Sanford Health's leave policy While Sen. Thune was not able to "We are proud to honor their dediJust give us a accept we’ll provides its deployed employees with call and the award in person during the cation and unwavering support for differential pay for up to one year if qualified Dining-Out, he pre-recorded a message service members and their families." send out a military pay is less than their salary for the Soldiers and Airmen in attendService also at Sanford. Service members areTechnician like ance. provided the option of Tyler, to make sure your continuing "I am deeply healthcare, dental and life insurance honored and AC while defor those benefits for up to one year unit is ready grateful to receive ployed, mobilized or serving on state this award," hot summer South Dakota th or national emergencies. Thune said. Tyler Reiser Sanford also has recognition events $30!* days and save "I couldn't be Service Technician for service members prior, during and more honored to returning from deployment. Peterson represent the men 13 years experience said they reached out to his entire unit and women of the Election of new people for clerk, officers, etc. and their family members. South Dakota Na"We were all ensured our family tional Guard who Please Attend members would be taken care of durrepresent our Angela Jackson, Clerk ing our deployment," he said. state with your Peterson is not alone in recognizing the support Sanford provides. 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(Enjoy short early morning hours Monday–Saturday) 319 Walnut Street, Yankton, SD • www.yankton.net Call Steve at 605-665-7811 Earn as much as $400+ this month & $120 this week Broadcaster Press 5 SDRC Assistive Technology Trainings The South Dakota Rehabilitation Center for the Blind (SDRC) would like to invite anyone who is a South Dakota resident and has a visual impairment to participate in two training events. The trainings will be held on Friday, March 1 at the SDRC facility located at 2900 W. 11th St., Sioux Falls, S.D. 57104. The first training session is an assistive technology walk-in clinic which will begin at 8 a.m. The second session is a skills of blindness open house at 1 p.m. The second session requires registration due to limited class size. Experienced SDRC staff will be on hand to answer questions. To register, please call JoMarie Laughlin at 1-800658-5441 or 605-367-5260. There is no cost to attend the classes. SDRC provides learning opportunities through various programs to assist individuals who have a vision loss that is creating difficulty for them at home, school, or work. SDRC’s programs are administered and staffed by the South Dakota Department of Human Services Division of Service to the Blind and Visually. SDSU Sheep Unit Hosts Lambing Time Open House February 21 BROOKINGS, S.D. - The SDSU Sheep Unit hosts a lambing time open house February 21 from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The SDSU Sheep Unit is located 1.5 miles north of the South Dakota State University campus on Medary Avenue (3729 Medary Ave). There is no fee to attend the open house which includes educational programming, refreshments and SDSU ice cream. The open house is co-hosted by SDSU Extension, the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences Department of Animal Science and the South Dakota Sheep Growers Assn. Many important lambing time management and health topics will be addressed by leading industry experts. Some topic areas include: •Flock management basics •Advice on lambing barn concepts •Newborn lamb care practices •Health management concerns and recommendations •Rearing options for orphan lambs, including the use of automated feeding systems •Nutritional management of ewes and lambs Featured speakers include: Philip Berg, senior instructor with the Pipestone Lamb and Wool Program; Larry Holler, veterinarian and pathologist in the SDSU Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory; Dave Ollila, SDSU Extension Sheep Field Specialist; Jeff Held, Professor & SDSU Extension Sheep Specialist and Karolynn Marsan, SDSU Sheep Unit manager. With more than 250 ewes lambing at the SDSU Sheep Unit throughout the month of February, during the open house, sheep experts will demonstrate lamb care skills and discuss management practice recommendations covering the full scope of a lambing season. Sheep producers are encouraged to ask questions and seek answers from the experts during the educational sessions. In addition to program hosts, event sponsors include: Big Gain, Inc., D&D Crop Insurance, AgFirst Farmers Cooperative, Agri Tech, Hubbard Feeds, Volga Ag Center, Sydell, Inc., Sinai Cooperative Elevator, Premier 1, Pipestone Vet Clinic, Purina Animal Nutrition, Volga Veterinary Clinic, Coplan Buying Station, Sioux Falls Regional Livestock, Superior Farms, Strauss Brands and Van Well Sheep Buying. Stories you missed this week because you’re not a Plain Talk subscriber A report about Vermillion native Paul Erickson, who was indicted on several charges by a federal grand jury last week. Full coverage of the inauguration of Sheila K. Gestring as the 18th president of the University of South Dakota. The inauguration took place 2 p.m. Feb. 13 in Aalfs Auditorium on the USD campus. Coverage of the 12th annual Community Health Fair, held Saturday Feb. 9 in the Lee Medical Building on the campus of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Photos and video from the Vermillion’s Got Talent show, held Saturday, Feb. 9 in the Thomas H. Craig Center for Performing Arts. The event raised more than $3,000 to help send Vermillion High School students to Scotland this summer. A story about the City of Vermillion’s decision to provide $700,000 in funding in increments of $100,000 for the next seven years to the National Music Museum in Vermillion to help the institution construct a new 16,000 addition to its present building. A report previewing the upcoming Polar Plunge that will be held in Vermillion Feb. 23. The event will raise funds for Special Olympics of South Dakota. And if you want to see: A story about a “Cooking with the Cardiologist” class held Feb. 20 in Vermillion to help promote heart health by showing people how to create heart-healthy meals at home. A story about recent test scores of elementary students in the Vermillion School District and how those scores compare with state averages. This data, along with test scores for middle school and high school students, was recently presented to the Vermillion School Board. A report recently heard by the Vermillion School Board of details of options currently being considered by the district’s building committee that, if eventually implemented, would construct new administrative offices and space for the district’s alternative school onto the Vermillion High School building. The district currently leases spaces for the offices and alternative school on property not owned by the district for about $40,000 annually. Pick up this Friday’s Plain Talk! Local news since 1884! 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