Service and Sacrifice

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Service and Sacrifice

By: Governor Larry Rhoden

May 22, 2026

On Memorial Day, people across South Dakota and the nation will gather for parades, backyard barbeques, and the unofficial start of summer. American flags will wave proudly in our communities, cemeteries will be decorated with flowers, and families will plan for long weekends spent together.

But Memorial Day is far more than a three-day weekend. It is one of our nation's most solemn and meaningful observances. Memorial Day is a time to remember the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice secured the freedoms we enjoy every day. The freedom to speak openly, worship freely, raise our families in peace, and pursue our own version of the American Dream.

Across South Dakota, we understand the importance of fighting to defend our freedoms. Our state has a proud tradition of military duty and patriotism. From small towns to tribal communities to our largest cities, generations of South Dakotans have answered the call to defend this nation. And sometimes, that means that the men and women who go off to fight do not come home.

Military service runs deep in my family. I served in the South Dakota National Guard for six years. My son, Cody, was a Blackhawk pilot. My brother served in Vietnam. My dad served in World War II and survived the Battle of the Bulge. My grandfather survived the Meuse-Argonne offensive in World War I. My great-great-great grandfather came to America from France during the Revolutionary War and fought alongside General Lafayette. He survived - but his brothers did not.

This holiday gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on what their sacrifice truly means. Reflection requires more than a moment of silence. It asks us to consider the cost of freedom and the responsibilities that come with it. It reminds us not to take our liberties for granted but to defend them with courage - because they were preserved by ordinary Americans who displayed extraordinary courage.

We should also remember the families who carry the burden of loss long after the ceremonies end. Gold Star families live each day with the absence of a loved one who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their strength and resilience deserve our gratitude and support not only on Memorial Day, but every single day.

In today's fast-paced world, taking time to reflect can sometimes be difficult. We move quickly from one responsibility to the next. Memorial Day challenges us to slow down and remember those who came before us. We remember those brave individuals who stood watch in dangerous places so future generations could live in freedom and opportunity.

This Memorial Day, I encourage everyone to recommit to the values our fallen heroes defended: faith, freedom, service, sacrifice, and love of country. Let us teach the next generation why these values matter and why the memory of our fallen must never fade.

Whether attending a community ceremony, visiting a veteran's cemetery, flying the American flag, or simply sharing stories of loved ones who served, each of us can honor the meaning of this day in our own way. May God bless the families of our fallen service members, our veterans, those currently serving in uniform, and the United States of America.

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