Retired Navy captain pays tribute to Randy Travis in new book

From years of Naval service to chronicling country legends, Diane Diekman honors service and storytelling — all from her home state of South Dakota

ART: Retired Navy Capt. Diane Diekman poses at the USS Battleship South Dakota Memorial with a copy of her new book on country music start Randy Travis. Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout

The USS Battleship South Dakota Memorial is the patriotic place to visit July 4. Nearly 7,000 men served on the ship during WWII and only a few are still alive today.

Diane Diekman is proud of what the historic Memorial represents. The retired U.S. Navy captain is president of the Board of Directors of the Memorial and has made sure the doors remain open to its museum and that 80 state and American flags that surround its perimeter are flying in celebration of Independence Day.

Until this year, Diekman also organized the joint American Legion and VFW Honor Guard that lead off the Fourth of July Parade in downtown Sioux Falls.

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