To say that the SD VFW and the Auxiliary work together would be an understatement. They live to help veterans and there is no artificial line drawn between the two entities. Commander Sean and President Sandi even have a joint special project, one that is also near to my heart, namely suicide prevention and awareness. Commander Sean is so highly regarded in his state that he was recently appointed to the Governor's Task Force on Suicide Prevention...a very special honor indeed!
South Dakota VFW recognizes it has a unique geography that makes travel expensive and difficult. To that end they have purchased laptop computers for the line officers and District Commanders to make life easier. They have not only invested the dollars, but they invest the time and effort in training the users from the very basics to navigating the National Dashboard to using Skype for meetings. How many states can say they have a Commander deployed to Poland and she can still chair a meeting in South Dakota?
I had the pleasure of handing out an All American Award to the Junior Vice of the State, who will track me through the Chairs. Afterward it was a distinct privilege to present Commander Sean not only with his Commission of Office but also a Certificate of Special Recognition signed by our Commander in Chief, Doc Schmitz. As a token of appreciation, South Dakota presented me with a beautiful plaque with an ironwood eagle carving. I will cherish this very much!
