8 Broadcaster Press May 14, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com Guard General Retires After 43 Years Of Service To South Dakota By Staff Sgt. Austin A. Pearce 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment RAPID CITY, S.D. – Brig. Gen. Thomas Croymans, of Aberdeen, retired from the South Dakota Army National Guard after more than 43 years of military service to his community, state and nation. Croymans retired as the Army assistant adjutant general and held numerous key leadership positions throughout his career. Croymans served as the assistant adjutant from May 1, 2018 – April 30, 2019, and was responsible for strategic planning, strength management, troop readiness and mobilization support for the state’s nearly 3,200 Army National Guard Soldiers. He was honored for his service during a retirement ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters on Camp Rapid, May 4. “To all the members of the South Dakota Army National Guard, I can’t tell you how proud I am for the tremendous work you do; you’ve earned a reputation for excellence not only here in the United States, but around the world, and rightfully so,” said Croymans. “For me personally, I couldn’t ask for anything more than to have the opportunity to be a part of all the good things this organization does.” His military career began in October 1975, enlisting in the 740th Transportation Company in Milbank; he spent the first 14 years of his career as an enlisted Soldier, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. Grants Available For Mosquito Control Programs PIERRE, S.D. – Cities, counties and tribes can again apply for state grant funding to help control mosquitoes and prevent West Nile virus (WNV). “Since West Nile first appeared in South Dakota, local mosquito control programs and the state have worked together to reduce the risk of West Nile,” said Bill Chalcraft, public health preparedness and response administrator for the Department of Health. “We’re very pleased to continue that partnership with this latest round of grants.” Chalcraft said the department has a total of $500,000 in funding available for local mosquito control programs. Grant awards will be based on the population of the applying jurisdiction and its number of human cases through 2018. Individual grants could range from $500 to $20,000. Applications are available on the department’s WNV website, westnile.sd.gov and the submission deadline is June 1. Grant awards will be issued after July 1. Since WNV emerged in South Dakota, the department has provided local control programs over $7 million in support, including both direct funding and mosquito control chemicals. The state’s first human case was reported in 2001. Since then, South Dakota has reported 2,601 human cases and 46 deaths. Preventing and controlling infectious disease is one objective of the Department of Health’s 2015-2020 strategic plan, http://doh.sd.gov/strategicplan. He received his commission as a second lieutenant through the South Dakota Military Academy Officer Candidate School program in December 1989, branching as a transportation officer. “I had some personal conflicts and set backs in my career that really made me think I was close to the end, so I had to make some difficult decisions about whether I wanted to stay in the military,” said Croymans. “I hung in there, though, worked hard and was able to make it through OCS to receive my commission.” Croymans held numerous command and staff positions within the 1742nd Transportation Company, 88th Troop Command, 139th Brigade Support Battalion and 109th Regional Support Group. He also served as the land component commander, chief of staff and director of the joint staff for Joint Force Headquarters in Rapid City. “His dedication to this organization is on a level that’s simply unheard of,” said Maj. Gen. Tim Reisch, adjutant general for the SDNG. “He served for over four decades and leaves us leading the finest Army National Guard state in the nation.” Croymans holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from South Dakota State University and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. In his civilian career, he is the regional roads engineer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Great Plains Region. RANGE READY!? Get the Latest equipment Beofre Your next shoot expLore it aLL... firearms, Gear & more G48 9 mm Pistol 9mm Pistol 459 99 $ 269 Special Low Price “Constitutional Carry” Law 9mm Pistol EC9S $ NEW 99 Overstock Price Compact Design for consealed to carry CW9 Compact Design, Silver Finish, New for 2019 CM9 3” brl., very compact 359 $ Reg. $459.00 99 Close Out Price goes into effect July 1st. New low prices effective immediately! Sale ends May 31st or while supplies last. 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