As of 2021, more than 65,000 veterans live in South Dakota, more than 20,000 of those are Vietnam veterans who served from 1961 to 1975. Many of these veterans did not receive a proper welcome home after the war and came back to a debate of the rightness or wrongness of the war. Regardless, these Vietnam veterans should be able to have their stories heard and sacrifices honored. To give them the honor they deserve, I partner with Vietnam War Commemoration to thank Vietnam veterans for their service.

Throughout this summer, I’ve had the privilege to honor Vietnam-era veterans from all over the state of South Dakota. I shake their hands, hear their stories, and welcome them home. Each veteran is presented with a commemorative lapel pin, a lasting symbol of our nation’s thanks. These veterans are honored in front of friends and family, making the event special for all involved. For many, this is the first welcome home and public recognition for their service they’ve ever received.

Each veteran I have met shares a different impactful story. They come from all walks of life, having served in all branches of the Armed Forces. Whether these veterans volunteered for the draft, earned high ranks and awards, served alongside family members, or served multiple tours—they all have one thing in common: protecting our freedom.

Over the past few years, I’ve recognized and honored more than 780 Vietnam veterans, and I want to continue to do so. I’ll be hosting ceremonies around the state this month, so if you or someone you know served in the Vietnam war, you can nominate them to be recognized by visiting my website or calling my office at 605-275-2868.

I didn’t think I’d find so much Jesus at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.  He’s everywhere all the time, but I didn’t expect to feel his presence at a pancake breakfast at the Buffalo Chip. He was clearly there when the Sons of Light Ministry graciously hosted hundreds of guests, including myself and Lawrence Jones from Fox and Friends. The Sons of Light witnessed by serving a free breakfast to all who came, sharing songs of praise, and just joining in fellowship.

South Dakotans are a tight-knit bunch. We look out for one another. We lend a hand when a neighbor is in need. We go the extra mile. And we witness Christ’s love to those around us.

After attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, I want to recognize folks like the Sons of Light – the unsung heroes of Sturgis.

There’s one thing that is pretty critical to a successful Rally – working motorcycles. Throughout the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, mechanics were working all hours of the day and night to make sure that bikes were ready to ride. I paid a visit to Black Hills Harley Davidson and saw just how hard those mechanics work. I am grateful to them for making sure my bike was in great condition, and I know they saved the day for a lot of people throughout the Rally.

Anyone who has been to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally knows that it can get rowdy. That’s part of the fun – until it goes too far. Our law enforcement officers make sure that everyone can stay safe while participating in all the activities that the Rally has to offer.

In a time when there are entire states turning their backs on hard-working law enforcement officers, I am proud that South Dakota stands with ours. Those men and women in uniform are essential every single year to a safe and successful Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Our first responders also deal with a lot during the Rally. Thousands of bikers from all over the United States – and even from other countries – all flock to the Black Hills of South Dakota. That leads to some bizarre incidents. I’m sure that our first responders received some calls that they may not have experienced before. Nonetheless, they always showed up. They did what they do every single time – they went above and beyond the call of duty to help those in need.

I could go on and on about these unsung heroes. They are truly the backbone of South Dakota. They create the kind of atmosphere that makes people want to come back year after year. They make Sturgis an event for the whole family. I met a lot of people who brought their family members with them – dads and sons, spouses, grandfathers and grandkids, and even moms and daughters – all spending time together making memories.

In South Dakota, we celebrate these folks. We are grateful for them every day. And we show them the respect that they deserve.

Thank you to all of the unsung heroes of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for your hard work. It’s because of you that we can continue the legacy of this Rally and celebrate faith, family, and Freedom. I’m already looking forward to next year – when the fastest and the Freest event in America revs up again!

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Given its location in the largest county in the state, in the heart of South Dakota’s largest metropolitan area, the biggest county fair in the entire state of South Dakota is the Sioux Empire Fair, with annual attendance over the week-long exposition running between 250,000 – 300,000 people who show up for exhibitions, concerts, carnival entertainment, and to walk through the buildings.

So, why am I hearing that when more than one elected Republican went through the commercial building looking for it, they were left wondering why there wasn’t a Minnehaha County GOP booth?

Did the Minnehaha County GOP actually skip the Sioux Empire Fair? It sure looks that way.

If that’s the case, that’s a shocker, even for the new leadership model of the Minnehaha County Republican Party, where yard sales are important, but the Sioux Empire Fair with 300,000 warm bodies passing through isn’t?

I know that it would be the first time in my 35 years of involvement that they didn’t have a fair booth. And I would bet it goes back much farther than that.

I thought Minnehaha GOP Chair R. Shawn Tornow’s argument to overthrow and take over the party was that the former group didn’t do things such as holding a Lincoln Day Dinner.

Well, staying home in your easy chair when potentially a quarter-million people might walk by your booth and want to talk or learn more in reference to what the GOP is about is not really anyone’s definition of doing a thing that I’m aware of.

I did catch this item from Minnehaha County Republican’s Facebook page on August 4, the day the fair began:

They posted a picture of a fair on Facebook. In lieu of actually interfacing with people at the fair.

I guess that’s what they consider a thing.

Not that it will get anyone to vote.

Maybe I’m not hearing the whole story, but I’m questioning how the PUC could keep any of what someone had to say when a woman from out of state fabricated testimony against the Navigator pipeline to the commission based on a falsified photo.

The PUC staff said that all of her testimony should be disqualified and tossed out.  Yet, it was ‘negotiated’ that she only lied in part of her testimony:

Bosma, who owns land in Lincoln County along the proposed pipeline route, submitted a picture of a tractor submerged deep in mud, which she told the commission she took on her land in South Dakota. The image was intended to suggest that a piece of farm equipment could sink deep in the mud and ultimately hit a carbon pipeline, triggering an explosion.

Problem is, Bosma’s picture appears to not be her’s at all, and was likely photoshopped.

and..

The PUC staff suggested that Bosma’s entire testimony be thrown out, which would have required a majority vote by the body’s three commissioners.

But rather than attempting to get Bosma back to South Dakota to tell her side of the story, Commissioner Chris Nelson managed to broker a deal between Navigator, landowner attorney Brian Jorde and his PUC staff that would only require the image and Bosma’s references to it to be thrown out.

Read the entire story here.

You have to wonder what other nonsense is being spewed to try to sway public opinion.

KEVN in Rapid City has a story on their website today regarding how The Monument is preparing for the SDGOP Trump Rally:

The South Dakota GOP originally contacted The Monument to rent space for a fundraiser dinner. The event changed from a dinner to a rally when Governor Kristi Noem and Trump both stated they would be attending. The Monument is working with the secret service as well as local law enforcement to set up a safety plan for the former president.

and..

The South Dakota Republican Party’s Monumental Leaders Rally will be held Friday, September 8th, in The Monument’s Ice Arena. The arena can hold up to 6,500 people, and tickets have already sold out.

Read the entire story here.

Johnson Awarded Democracy Award for Outstanding Constituent Service

Congressional Management Foundation Recognizes Rep. Johnson for Outstanding Constituent Service 

Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) was awarded the Democracy Award for outstanding Constituent Service by the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF). CMF’s Constituent Service award recognizes non-legislative achievement and performance in congressional offices. This category honors offices for their outstanding practices or achievements acting as ombudsmen with the federal government or responding to constituent requests and inquiries. Only one Republican and one Democrat office is selected per each award category.

This marks Johnson’s second Democracy Award. Johnson’s office won the 2021 Democracy Award in the “Constituent Accountability and Accessibility” category.

“I came to Congress to serve the people of South Dakota,” said Johnson. “Being recognized as the winner of the Constituent Service award gives me confidence that my team and I go above and beyond to serve South Dakotans as their liaison to the federal government.”

“As a Democracy Award winner, Rep. Johnson’s office is clearly one of the best in Congress,” said Bradford Fitch, President and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation. “This designation demonstrates that Rep. Johnson has made a significant commitment to being the best public servant for his constituents in South Dakota. Rep. Johnson and his staff are to be congratulated for not only being a model for his colleagues in Congress, but for helping to restore trust and faith that our democratic institutions can work.”

South Dakota constituent testimonials:

“You all provided excellent service for me and my family. Took me 1.5 years of calling and emailing the IRS and your office got me on the right track in one week.” – Robert, Rapid City.

“I worked for three years trying to obtain a copy of my brother-in-law’s DD214. I needed this form to get a veteran plaque for his headstone. Your staff got this form in under two weeks. I promised my brother-in-law I would get this plaque for his headstone. Thanks to you and your staff for helping me fulfill this promise. He was proud of his military service.” – Ben, Wilmot.

“Thank you for a very speedy response to our request. It feels good to have a representative who genuinely cares for his constituents and follows up to make sure their issue is resolved.” – Marek, Sioux Falls.

Background:

According to CMF, Johnson’s office was selected for this award because their efficiency and effectiveness are reflected in the consistent, positive responses the office has received. In 2022, 96% of constituents had a positive experience with their office, 97.4% of constituents reported having a positive experience in 2021, and 95.5% had a positive interaction in 2020. The office sends quarterly casework review surveys to each completed case – asking about interactions with staff, overall outcomes, and timeliness of responses. 

The Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit founded in 1977 dedicated to strengthening Congress and building trust in its work with and for the American people. CMF works to revitalize Congress as an institution; promoting best practices in congressional offices; and helps Congress and the people they represent engage in a constructive and inclusive dialogue toward a thriving American democracy.

Details on the process and the history of the Democracy Awards can be found here: https://www.congressfoundation.org/projects/democracy-awards

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Amidst the construction of the newest school in town adjacent to the park, the Brookings County GOP will be holding it’s annual Summer Picnic on Friday, August 18th at 6pm in Hillcrest Park. Check it out!

South Dakota Democrats are holding an emergency meeting to throw out chairwoman Jennifer Slaight-Hansen after a slew of allegations regarding her mismanagement and abusive leadership style of the party. As noted in an article appearing in the Argus Leader:

The meeting will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 19 at Drifter’s in Fort Pierre, where the petition to recall Jennifer Slaight-Hansen will be presented, according to a joint resolution from 15 county Democratic Parties and two state central committee members sent on Tuesday.

and..

As of Wednesday, at least 74 people had signed the recall petition out of a total of 120 eligible voters who can vote for the SDDP chair role, according to an email from Senate Minority Leader Reynold Nesiba (Sioux Falls), and reviewed by the Argus Leader. The 74 signatures are more than enough for what is needed to trigger the recall election process. At least half of the 120 eligible voters had to sign.

Read the entire story here in the Argus Leader.

Do we think Jennifer’s tenure will make the meeting? Or will she abandon ship before August 19th?

From Facebook, the South Dakota Secretary of State announces a new political party in the state:

And over on the Secretary of State’s official website, where we are supposed to go to look for information about the new political party they announced on facebook three days ago:

*chirp* *chirp*  (simulated crickets).

From Facebook, Team Dusty was out in force walking a rainy parade route in Aurora, South Dakota.