The South Dakota Legion News Volume 89, Issue 1 “Veterans Strengthening America” July 2021 In Memoriam: Past Department Commanders Dedication & Honor: Hovorka and Young Report to Post #125 Carries on 101 Year-Old Post Everlasting Memorial Day Tradition Richard D. Hovorka, age 89 of Tabor, South Dakota, passed away Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at Good Samar- itan Society - Tyndall. Richard Dale Hovo- rka was born August 27, 1931 to Ambrose and Amelia (Blaha) Hovorka in Tabor, South Dakota. He attended McCrea Country School through the 8th grade. Growing up a country boy, he always helped on the family farm. Richard worked line construction in Tabor, Th edford, Nebraska and Wessington, SD. Richard married Sharleen Kaiser April 23, 1956. He moved his new bride to Poplar, Montana where they made their home until February 1957. Th at is when they moved back to his home place to farm. Richard was very active in American Legion, where he National HQ, Indianapolis; Photos by Courtney VanZanten Since the early 1920s at Chauncey Eagle Horn/Philip Iyo- Donald Robert tte American Legion Post 125 on the Rosebud Indian Res- Young was born on ervation in South Dakota, Memorial Day has been more a homestead north than a ceremony. of Herrick, SD, on It started with six cemeteries at a time when members of April 28, 1933, to the post had to travel by horse-drawn wagon. Th e current Truman and Caro- version for members of Post 125 is a day-long event, span- line (Haisch) Young. ning 158 miles, more than nine hours and nearly two doz- Don died on March en area cemeteries. Members of the post – and in the past 29, 2021, at Sanford few years escorted by American Legion Riders Chapter Medical Center in 125 – have provided Memorial Day honors to the veterans Sioux Falls, SD, at the buried at 22 cemeteries located throughout the Rosebud age of 87 years. Indian Reservation. Many of the cemeteries can only be He grew up on a accessed via dirt paths, but that doesn’t stop the Legion- farm north of Her- naires. rick and was the old- Post 125 Commander Carole Gregg believes the tradition est of three children spans 101 years and continues to happen each year be- including brother Darrell and sister Margaret Ann. Don cause of the value those on the reservation place on those quit school early to help on the home place and work on who have performed military service. the Sutton ranch. Don was draft ed into the US Army in “A lot of people are so proud of their veterans around 1953, where he served two years and spent time in Germa- here,” Gregg said. “When it comes to Memorial Day and ny aft er the Korean War. He returned home and worked remembering these people that passed on, I think it be- for his Uncle Curley on the Mulehead Ranch which later comes a big deal around here.” led to a job in road construction. Gregg also is an American Legion Riders and said the Don married the love of his life, Kathryn Jons, on June 10, post’s American Legion Riders chapter began providing Continued on page 20... Continued on page 20... Wolkow Elected 2021-2022 Department Commander Gary Wolkow, of De Smet, was elected as the 2021-2022 Department Commander of Th e American Legion De- partment of South Dakota during the closing moments of the 102nd Annual Department Convention in Huron, SD, on June 27th, 2021. Wolkow was nominated by Dave Gutzmer of Lake Preston, and seconded by Terry Hanson of Arlington. Draft ed into the Army in May of 1969, Gary Wolkow completed Basic and Advanced Infantry Training at North Fort Lewis in Washington State. From there, he was sent to NCO School in Fort Benning, Georgia, attaining the rank of Sergeant. In 1970, he was sent overseas for duty in Viet- nam, where he was assigned to the 101st Airborne 327th Infantry Division in the northern hills. He was honorably Continued on page 10... 2 SOUTH DAKOTA LEGION NEWS South Dakota Legion News (ISSN 0745-5801) L.E.T.S Vol. 89 No 1 July 2021 Official Publication of the American Legion of South Dakota Published six times per year by Let’s End The Slide! The American Legion of South Dakota Gary Wolkow 14 1st Ave SE Watertown, SD 57201 Department Commander Printed at 218 South Egan Avenue, Madison, SD 57042-0348 Legionnaires, Subscription Price: $5.00 a year, Send subscription request to: South Dakota American Legion, PO Box 67, Watertown, SD 57201 I write this article as your newly elected State Commander with all kinds of emotions, Courtney VanZanten, Chester, Editor thoughts, ideas and challenges for the 2021-2022 year. First of all, thank you to everyone Kevin Hempel, Watertown, Managing Editor for giving me the great privilege and honor to serve as your South Dakota American Le- Send all copy for publication to: gion State Commander for the next year. It is a great honor and I plan to dedicate myself South Dakota Legion News, PO Box 67, Watertown, SD 57201-0067 for the entire year to promote the South Dakota American Legion and its programs. Office Phone (605) 886-3604, Fax (605) 886-2870 We have a great team in place this year and we plan to hit the ground running!! The Email: [email protected] COVID pandemic cancelled many Legion meetings and events last year, but with it being Home page: https://www.sdlegion.org more and more under control and most of the restrictions being gradually lifted, every possible effort will be made to promote the South Dakota American Legion and its pro- PLEASE REPORT CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO: grams to help and support our veterans and their families. You will probably see a lot SD LEGION NEWS, PO BOX 67, WATERTOWN, SD 57201-0067 more of “we” “us” “team” and “family” as we will always keep our communications open and work very closely with the Auxiliary, the Sons, the Riders, and all of our American DEPARTMENT OFFICERS Legion Family to let everyone know who the South Dakota American Legion is and what State Commander — Gary Wolkow, De Smet we do. If we ALL come together as a team, our challenges and goals will be much easier [email protected], (605) 854-3020 accomplished. It will still take individual effort at times, so you will still see or hear “I” State Vice Commander (Dist 1-2) — Eugene Iron Shell, Jr., Rosebud from time to time, but all of us working together as a team or family is much better than [email protected], (605) 319-1365 just “I” or one of us. State Vice Commander (Dist 3-8) — Doug Feltman, Chamberlain My motto this year is “Lets End The Slide” We can do it! For several years, our membersip [email protected], (605) 691-4571 has slid backwards to less and less members every year and we must stop that trend. Our National Executive Committeeman — Jim Huls, Madison goal for this year is to have at least one or more members than we had last year. I know [email protected], (605) 421-1700 we can do it! We have a great Legion team in place this year. I will be working very closely Alternate National Executive Committeeman — Denny Brenden, Watertown with our Adjutant Kevin Hempel who will be guiding me throughout the year, and will [email protected], (605) 881-3179 try to make myself always available to the Legionnaires who you elected to lead the South State Adjutant — Kevin Hempel, Watertown Dakota American Legion. These are the Legionnaires that will help guide and motivate the [email protected], (605) 886-3604 South Dakota American Legion this year, to promote programs and to insure we have a State Americanism Officer — Harry Boner, Castlewood positive and successful year. Keeping a positive attitude is very, very important. We must [email protected], (605) 691-4571 always think positive and try to be proactive. State Membership Chairman — Travise Flisrand, Castlewood Membership and marketing will be very high on our list of priorities. Our membership [email protected], (605) 868-8503 Chairman, Travise Flisrand, is the head of this committee. This fairly new formed com- State Service Officer — Courtney VanZanten, Chester mittee has new ideas and plans to recruit new members, retain current members, and also [email protected], (605) 868-8750 ideas on how to market the South Dakota American Legion, to get our name out in every State Chaplain — Justin Warfel, Spearfish way possible to let people know who we are and what we do. The chairperson of the Media [email protected], (605) 212-7922 and Communications committee, Courtney VanZanten, will be working very closely with State Finance Officer — Krisma DeWitt, Castlewood the Marketing and Membership committee to geth the South Dakota American Legion [email protected], (605)677-8545 and its programs made known to everyone through all types of media, print and social. State Historian — Fred Lee, Sioux Falls They will promote all of our wonderful programs, Boys State, Youth Trooper, Oratorical [email protected], (605) 413-9451 Contest, Children & Youth, Educational Scholarships, VAVS, Legion Baseball, Shooting State Judge Advocate — Jay Leibel, Madison Sports, Scouting, Flag Etiquette and all the other great programs we sponsor. We have to [email protected], (605) 256-3961 let people know The American Legion is well and alive and here to help veterans and their State Sergeant-At-Arms — Greg Geiman, Scotland families. I look forward to all the visits and travels that we will be making this coming [email protected], (605) 695-6361 year.