Governor to address vets, SDSU cadets

Posted

BROOKINGS – Gov. Dennis Daugaard will be on the South Dakota State University campus at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, to honor all veterans and recognize the achievements of the Army and Air Force ROTC cadets.

Governor’s Day will be observed on Sylvan Green just east of the South Dakota Art Museum.

Daugaard will be making his fifth appearance as governor at the annual awards ceremony.

He will speak on the freedoms Americans enjoy thanks to those who have served throughout the country’s history and commend the ROTC participants for being selfless, willing volunteers.

Daugaard also spoke as lieutenant governor in 2005 and 2006.

Governor’s Day dates to 1918, when Peter Norbeck was governor and Gen. Omar Bradley was professor of military science.

Following Daugaard’s talk, 42 Army and 30 Air Force ROTC cadets will pass before the governor, SDSU President Barry Dunn and unit commanders.

This year’s awards recipients:

Air Force ROTC

• President’s Cup/Cadet of the Year, the top award for the non-hosting unit, Cole Jorgensen, Hartford;

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Award: Wade Olson, Omaha, Neb.;

• Daughters of the American Revolution Award: Tyler Joyal, Rapid City;

• American Legion Military Excellence Award: Brian Gusek, Crystal, Minn.;

• Disabled American Veteran’s Award: Desiree Mercer, Sioux Falls;

• Military Officers Association of America Award: Jared Neuharth, Eureka;

• Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War: Ethan Frazier, Litchfield, Minn.; and

• Vietnam Veterans of America Scholarship: Mitchell Selken, Brandon.

Army ROTC

• Governor’s Cup/Cadet of the Year, the top award for the hosting unit: Jean Skoglund, Salem;

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Award, Trina Baker, Crooks;

• Daughters of the American Revolution Award: Chelsea Menser, Stafford, Va.;

• American Legion Military Excellence Award: Kayli Buchholz, De Smet;

• Disabled American Veterans Award: Sean Hartze, Grand Island, Neb.;

• Department of Army Superior Cadet Awards: Emily Kirchner, Estherville, Iowa; Nicole Severson, Marshall, Minn.; Trent Knuppe, Dell Rapids; Morgan Rolhfs, Fairbanks, Alaska;

• Military Officers Association of America Award: Severson, Marshall;

•  Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War Award; Nathan Stafford, Sioux Falls;

• Vietnam Veterans of America Scholarship Award: Erin Holdsclaw, Salem, N.C.; and

• Caulfield Army ROTC Scholarship Award: Emma Thordson, Marshall.

In case of bad weather, the ceremony will be held in Lincoln Music Hall.

For more information, contact the Air Force ROTC, which is hosting this year’s event, at 688-6106.