A Tribute to Heroes
By Governor Kristi Noem
President Harry Truman once said this: “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”
Earlier this month, I was honored and humbled to join veterans and South Dakotans as we broke ground on South Dakota’s first State Veterans Cemetery. Despite pouring rain, more than 100 veterans and South Dakotans gathered at the site just outside Sioux Falls for the momentous occasion.
South Dakota is home to more than 72,000 veterans who served their country and made incredible sacrifices for our freedom. Of these, 50,000 live on the eastern side of our state – hours away from the nearest veterans cemetery. This new site will ensure that veteran families on both sides of the state have the ability to bury their loved ones near their homes and communities.
But this cemetery is about more than providing a peaceful resting place for our heroes. This cemetery is a tribute to patriots. It immortalizes the sacrifices that have been made for our freedoms. Even more than that, though, it’s a way we can show the next generation that sacrifice does not go unnoticed.
One thing that was particularly special was that this was a project for veterans by veterans. Many of our South Dakota veterans spent over a decade working to bring a state veterans cemetery to South Dakota. It was their passion for this project that kept the momentum going and made the dream a reality.
Others played a part, too. The city of Sioux Falls gifted the state over 60 acres of land, and the federal Department of Veterans Affairs awarded us a $6.9 million grant to get this project across the finish line.
I think it’s incredibly special and symbolic that there were so many players to get us to the point where we could break ground. Because we all must be committed to caring for our veterans. Saying thank you isn’t just a city issue, or a state issue. Gratitude isn’t something we can count on someone else to do. It’s a personal responsibility that requires action from each one of us.
This cemetery is a token of our gratitude. It’s how we’ll remember and honor their stories and sacrifices forever.
To all those who have served and to the families who stand beside you, thank you. You are what makes this nation great.
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