South Dakota XXIV

Some time ago, I posted from Garretson, S.D. a town of a little over 1,200 people as of the 2020 census. You can see that post here.

There were only four names on their memorial and today, I will honor two of them. 

William L. Hill

Pfc Hill was on guard duty when he stepped on a land mine in Gia Dinh Province. He was lost om May 1, 1968. His body was recovered and is buried in South Dakota. His full profile reads that he was killed by "misadventure" "Friendly fire" I wonder if that means the mine was one of ours, or something else?

Robert V. Reker

LCpl Reker was only in 'Nam two months before he was killed by "hostile" "fragmentation" wounds. He was lost at Quang Nam Province on June 13, 1969.

Next time, on August 10th, we will return to Tennessee, to honor others so worthy of our admiration and never ending respect. Join me there, at 9:00 am., as always.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here.

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group!  

South Dakota XV

I had a little time, so I thought I would drive out to Devil's Gulch, where Jesse and Frank James evaded a posse in hot pursuit by jumping the gulch. Well, it was a little difficult to find and then when I did, it didn't seem as if the average horse would have much trouble jumping it. I think they got away because they jumped from Minnesota into South Dakota, but that is really just a guess.

I decided just to cruise through the town of Garretson, SD just to see if maybe there was a memorial in the town. I hadn't driven but three or four blocks when I came upon this multi-war memorial near the corner of 2nd and Main.

The wind was blowing pretty hard, you can see that the flag pole is under some stress.

As with all multi-war sites, several involvements are honored here, Vietnam is on the top right side with the four from the area who were lost named and honored forever.

So, a side trip to check out Jesse James lead me to a memorial to four of our brothers. I have learned not to be surprised by what I find on this journey.

Next time, on April 26th, we will once again, visit Texas, so join me there at 9:00am, as always.

To see other memorials from South Dakota, or any other state, click the state name on the left side of this page.