South Dakota Veterans Cemetery
| South Dakota Veterans Cemetery | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Established | May 31, 2021 |
| Location | |
| Country |  United States |
| Coordinates | 43°37′22.37″N 96°40′39.47″W / 43.6228806°N 96.6776306°W |
| Type | Military |
| Owned by | South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs |
| Size | 60 acres (24 ha) |
| Website | Official website |
| Find a Grave | South Dakota Veterans Cemetery |
South Dakota Veterans Cemetery is a
Description
South Dakota Veterans Cemetery is located north of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the corner of Slip Up Creek Road (County Road 317) and 477th Avenue.[1] It is next to Slip-up Creek.[2] Spanning over 60 acres (24 ha), it has the capacity for over 28,000 burials.[3] At opening, the cemetery estimated it would receive 270 burials per year.[4]
It is the first state-owned and federally-funded veterans cemetery in South Dakota. Veterans can be interred at no cost[5] and have the choice between a typical grave or interment in a columbarium.[1] Spouses or dependents of veterans can also be interred for a fee.[6]
History
Prior to the establishment of the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, no veterans cemetery for non-tribal residents
In 2018, state legislators Jim Stalzer and Larry Zikmund introduced legislation to establish a state veterans cemetery in East River and to apply for federal aid to do so.[7] On June 28, U.S. Representative Kristi Noem and U.S. Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds wrote a joint letter of support to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)'s Veterans Cemetery Grant Program.[10] Later that year, the VA agreed to allocate $6 million in federal funding,[8] and the state itself allocated $600,000 for the project.[3] The land for the cemetery was donated by the City of Sioux Falls, totalling 60 acres (24 ha).[3] This land was part of a more than 600-acre (240 ha) undeveloped parcel, which had previously been leased out to farmers or was otherwise undisturbed.[2]
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 9, 2019.
The official opening and dedication ceremony was held on May 31, 2021 (Memorial Day). Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden, himself a veteran; state representative Dusty Johnson; Greg Whitlock, the SDDVA secretary; and Terry Paulsen, president of the South Dakota Veterans Council, spoke at the event.[3] An estimated 500 to 600 people, including active and retired military service members and their families, attended the ceremony.[11] The first burials were interred on June 4, 2021.[6]
On November 11, 2022 (Veterans Day), the cemetery unveiled a set of bronze eagle statues, called "Guardians", to be installed at the cemetery's entrance gate. The statues were created by local sculptor Jurek Jakowicz.[12][13]
See also
Notes
- ^ Three other veterans cemeteries for Native American tribal members were opened in the 2010s: one on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, one in White River, South Dakota, and one on the Lake Traverse Indian Reservation.
References
- ^ a b c Kaczke, Lisa (August 28, 2019). "South Dakota to break ground on State Veterans Cemetery". Argus Leader. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Sneve, Joe (January 18, 2018). "Sioux Falls readying to donate land for first East River veterans cemetery". Argus Leader. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Mitchell, Trevor J. (May 31, 2021). "South Dakota's first state-run veterans cemetery opens following Memorial Day service". Argus Leader. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ Sneve, Joe (January 19, 2018). "Veterans cemetery expected to bring millions to Sioux Falls economy". Argus Leader. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "South Dakota Veterans Cemetery hosts Memorial Day program". Dakota News Now. May 29, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b "Veterans Cemetery". South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Kaczke, Lisa (September 9, 2019). "New South Dakota veterans cemetery will become a 'tribute to our patriots'". Argus Leader. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b "Rounds: South Dakota Veterans Cemetery One Step Closer to Becoming Reality" (Press release). Washington: Mike Rounds U.S. Senator for South Dakota. October 1, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Ferguson, Dana (December 29, 2017). "Veterans groups push for state-run cemetery near Sioux Falls". Argus Leader. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Delegation requests consideration of new Sioux Falls cemetery through the VA Veterans Cemetery Grant Program" (Press release). Washington: Mike Rounds U.S. Senator for South Dakota. June 28, 2018. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Fugleberg, Jeremy (May 31, 2021). "South Dakota opens first state veterans cemetery". INFORUM. Sioux Falls, S.D.: Forum Communications Company. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "State to unveil 'guardians' at South Dakota Veterans Cemetery". SDPB Radio. South Dakota Public Broadcasting. November 10, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Holsen, Matt (January 23, 2023). "Veteran community teams up for 'guardian eagles' sculptures" (Press release). Sanford Health. Retrieved March 27, 2024.