Veterans Memorial Ceremony held in Memorial Park

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Veterans Day honors our military men and women and their passion and devotion to our country.

“Honoring those who served is important because they are the ones that gave up and sacrificed their life and for the betterment of our country, for our fellow citizens of the United States and so I think it is forgotten sometimes, but it’s days like this that bring it out again to be able to show support for each other,” a US Air Force Veteran.

Local officials with VFW Post 1273 held a ceremony this Veterans Day to commemorate all who have served our country.

“Signing up to serve; they are giving a big commitment right there, they are leaving their families, their loved ones, their spouses, what have you and to serve their nation,” said Joe Gogain, a member of the Honor Guard and Color Guard.

VFW Post 1273 Commander Wayne Swier noted the sacrifice and legacy of those in uniform.

“There is a great sense of pride among all generations of veterans you know, when we go and we serve, we’re honored to do so and we learn a lot about our unit’s history and we understand that we have some pretty big boots to fill and we just hope and pray that we would do right by those that came before us,” Swier said.

He also mentioned the characteristics of those who serve.

“Typically men and women that willingly go out and serve their nation are very selfless people, they are very brave people and they are adventurous,” Swier said. “You know people have asked me how I could sum up my service and I always tell them, ‘it is an adventure, some of the best times and the absolute most inconceivable times one can imagine and I wouldn’t trade it for anything’.”

The event also included a proclamation of the observance of Veterans Day from Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender.