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Rapid City, South Dakota, Chapter 463
BY VIRGIL STOCKSTAD
Rapid City Chapter 463 sponsored a Vietnam-era
reunion in Deadwood, South Dakota, on May 2-4. On May 1,
a huge spring storm left two feet of snow on the lower elevations
and even more up in the hills. It looked like a year’s
worth of planning was going to go down the drain, but Chapter
463 President Jack Dean would not be denied. “Coming
as far as we had,” he said, “we were not about
to back out.”
The reunion would proceed even if it meant
losing money. Which we did. Friday night’s events were
cancelled because most businesses were closed. On Saturday
morning, the hotel’s guests grabbed shovels and cleared
a path for us to the building where we were hosting some
of the day’s events. Those events required a lot of
improvisation and only a small number attended the activities.
Saturday
night was the big night of the reunion. Fifty-six guests
attended from all over South Dakota. The pre-dinner program
was a hit; dinner was great; and an auction followed. The
auctioneer never showed, but Chapter Secretary Paul Miller
rose to the challenge and took on the job. The auction was
such a hit that the band missed its first set, but it was
worth it. This small group raised $2,100 for the veterans
of the Black Hills.
Sunday’s memorial service called
for more can-do volunteerism. When the chaplain didn’t
show, Jack Dean directed a simple, respectful ceremony. Air
Force Junior ROTC cadets posted the colors, then presented
three laser-engraved plaques listing the names of all those
from South Dakota who were killed in Vietnam. Chapter members
laid a wreath in their memory, and a short prayer ended the
service.
Chapter 463 is a small chapter, but we are getting
things done to help veterans.
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©2006-
2008, Vietnam Veterans of America. All Rights Reserved. 8719 Colesville Road, Suite 100, Silver Spring, MD 20910