8 Broadcaster Press November 19, 2019 www.broadcasteronline.com SD Guardsman Carries On Winter Hours Have Begun At Vermillion Landfill Tradition Through Service By Sgt. Dustin Jordan SDNG Public Affairs Office SPEARFISH, S.D. - For some, the military is a way to see the world while learning the skills to become successful in life. However, for one South Dakota Army National Guard Soldier it is about so much more. For Spc. Jacey Garcia it is about continuing a family legacy and helping the community where he grew up. "My family has been in the military for as long as I can track back. My father was in Vietnam, my uncle and grandfather were in the Marines, and my father's uncle was in Korea," said Garcia. "All the way back to my greatgreat-grandfathers we were always warriors." Garcia is a member of the 155th Engineer Company in Wagner, where he serves as an interior electrician. He chose to be an electrician to gain skills to help him fix things around the house and have a skillset to put on a resume. Outside the National Guard, he is pursuing his degree in education from Black Hills State University in Spearfish. Garcia says the military has given him the skills to be successful in his first year of school. "My parents and the military have instilled discipline in me," said Garcia. "When there is something to get done you have to go do it. It does no good to wait around. That has really helped me stay on top of things in college." Garcia is a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. In recognition of Native American Heritage Month, he took some time to explain the importance of the observance to him and his people. "It's really important for people to know the history of our country. It is good to recognize our mistakes from the past - the way that Native Americans were treated was wrong," Garcia said. "Having a month dedicated to Native American people is important because it gives us the opportunity to learn and talk about our history. It gives Native Americans a bigger stage to share our culture." Garcia recognizes that the National Guard allows him to be a role model and a voice for the people on the reservations. He believes that it is important to use his position in the military to help the people from where he is from. "I think it's important to understand that there are all types of people in the world and they all struggle in different ways," said Garcia. "It is important for us to use our voices for good. I want to learn as much as I can and do the best possible for my community." Garcia chose the National Guard so that he could help the people from the community where he grew up. "When you do something within your community, and you know every one personally, it makes it feel that much better," said Garcia. "If the Guard does a project and helps a family out, and you know that family, it really makes you feel a sense of pride." The National Guard has been a benefit Garcia said. He reflected back on the types of people he has met during his time in the National Guard. "Before I went to basic training, I was only around Native Americans and white Americans in my community. I didn't have very many relationships with different types of people," said Garcia. "The military has allowed me to get past mental and social barriers towards other people that I had growing up. Some of my best friends in basic training were people that were completely different than me." Garcia says helping people in his community is what he enjoys the most about being in the National Guard. "The feeling you get and how you can make someone else feel by helping them leaves an impression on you," said Garcia. "If I help somebody, and they really benefit, it gets me motivated to go out and do it again." Garcia has some advice for anyone that is thinking about joining the National Guard or the military in general, just do it! "Don't be that person that says I was going to join, but I just didn't," said Garcia. "The military will teach you much more than you ever thought it could, and you are going to get to do a lot of stuff with some awesome and amazing people." 6 3 ????3???3???36???????  3 ???3?37??????34?3?3???35??????????3?????3???????? 3x ...the Value Medicare plans that fit your life and your budget. HealthPartners Sanford Medicare plans are designed to support your active life with benefits like: • Flexible care options, like online clinics • On-the-go travel coverage • Low monthly premiums We’re right with you in your pursuit of good health – every shape of it. Visit healthpartners.com/ sanford or call 833-319-0392 to get in good Medicare shape today. On the phone, we’re available Oct. 1 through Dec. 7: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, Monday through Saturday and Dec. 8 through Sept. 30: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday. For Your Classified! 605-624-4429 Winter hours began at the Vermillion landfill on Friday, Nov. 1, and the landfill will be closed on Saturdays. Saturday hours will resume in April 2020. The 2019 landfill vouchers expire on Nov. 30, 2019. Clear Sidewalks Within 24 Hours Of Snow, Freezing Rain The City Of Vermillion reminds property owners that sidewalks are to be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours after any snow or freezing rain event. If snow is not removed within this period, the City may do so by other means and charge the cost of removal to the property owner. Property owners are also reminded that it is unlawful to deposit grass, leaves and snow in certain areas. People are prohibited from depositing deposit grass clippings, leaves or snow in or upon any gutter, street, alley, sidewalk, vacant lot and any other public place in the city. Violation will result in a monetary fine. DPS Announces November Sobriety Checkpoints PIERRE, S.D. – State Department of Public Safety officials say sobriety checkpoints are planned in 18 counties statewide during November. Checkpoints are done monthly in different counties as a way to discourage drivers from drinking and then driving. The checkpoints are funded by the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety and conducted by the South Dakota Highway Patrol with the help of local law enforcement. November checkpoints are planned for the counties of: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Butte, Codington, Davison, Day, Hughes, Lake, Lincoln, Lyman, Meade, Minnehaha, Pennington, Stanley, Walworth and Yankton. Both the Office of Highway Safety and the Highway Patrol are part of the Department of Public Safety. Cook The Book Group Schedules Dec. 3 Meeting At Library Do you love browsing through cookbooks or trying new recipes and cooking techniques? This fall consider joining our most popular book club - Cook the Book! Once a month, our tastiest adult program will introduce fellow foodies to new tastes, cooking techniques, and great books about cooking. This unique book group brings together patrons who love to cook for a shared meal and conversation about food and cooking. To participate, choose a recipe to prepare and share for the first meeting. Each month there is a different theme, so check with library staff to see what the group will be discussing, and what kind of recipe to bring! It will only be necessary to make one regular-sized recipe - no need to double! Subsequent meetings will be themed according to the group’s choices. The final meeting of this year will take place at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The Edith B. Siegrist Vermillion Public Library is located at 18 Church Street, Vermillion, SD. For more information call 605-677-7060 or email vplstaff@vermillionpubliclibrary.org. BroadcasterOnline.com “Get Connected!” Vermillion School District Preschool Screening * Developmental * Hearing * Language * Vision Open to all 3 and 4 year old children who live in the Vermillion School District. Children should not be age-eligible for kindergarten - 5 by Sept. 1, 2019. Thursday, December 5th 10:00am -5:45pm Austin Elementary School 300 High Street Call to make an appointment (605)677-7010 *Appointments will be about 45 minutes long. HealthPartners is a Cost plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in HealthPartners depends on contract renewal. Other Providers are available in our network. 19-584660-618317 (9/19) ©2019 HealthPartners H2462_118071_M Accepted 09/28/2019 This screening is sponsored by the Vermillion School District and USD Head Start with community support.