VIEWPOINT | South Dakota celebrates its 63,000 veterans, Marine Corps' 250th birthday

Guest column by Sec. Jeremiah J. Schneider, South Dakota Veterans Affairs

Each November, as the colors of autumn fade and winter gently approaches, South Dakotans pause to reflect on the extraordinary service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. Veterans Day is more than a date on the calendar — it is a promise that we will never forget those who answered the call to defend freedom, nor those who continue to wear the uniform with courage and pride.

November also marks a special milestone for one proud branch of our Armed Forces — the United States Marine Corps, which celebrates its 250th birthday on Nov. 10. For two and a half centuries, Marines have stood as defenders of our nation’s honor, leading with steadfast determination both in battle and in service to their communities.

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To every Marine — past and present — South Dakota honors your legacy, your leadership and your unwavering commitment to the values of duty, courage and honor.

As part of Veterans Day, we will dedicate six bridges to fallen heroes in a Regional Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication Program. These bridges stand not only as tributes of remembrance but as living symbols of connection. They remind us that freedom is held aloft by the courage of those willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good. When you cross one of these bridges, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect, to whisper a quiet prayer, or to say, "thank you.”

South Dakota is home to more than 63,000 veterans—men and women who have served in every conflict since World War II and who continue to serve our communities as neighbors, mentors and leaders. Veterans Day is an opportunity for each of us, no matter where we are or what we do, to express our gratitude. Attend a local ceremony, volunteer your time, or reach out personally to a veteran or a military family.

A simple word of thanks carries power beyond measure — it tells our veterans that their service is remembered, their sacrifices are valued and their legacy lives on.

I encourage everyone to contact your local Service Organizations — the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and others — who will be hosting Veterans Day events across the state. These organizations play a crucial role in supporting our veterans by providing resources, advocacy and a sense of community.

Whether it’s a small-town parade, a community breakfast, or a wreath-laying, these gatherings give us the chance to come together as South Dakotans — to stand shoulder to shoulder in respect, remembrance and pride.

As Veterans Day leads into Thanksgiving, we’re reminded that gratitude is at the heart of both observances. This season, around tables filled with family, food and warmth, let us also set a place in our hearts for those who cannot be home — the men and women serving far from loved ones and those families who bear the quiet ache of loss.

Their sacrifices have shaped the freedoms we cherish and our gratitude should echo in how we live and the respect we show each day. Let’s not forget the families who support our service members, often bearing the brunt of their absence. Their strength and resilience deserve our recognition and support.

To every veteran, Marine, service member and military family — thank you. Thank you for your courage, your honor and your steadfast love of country. May we all honor your example by living lives worthy of your sacrifice. And to my fellow South Dakotans, I invite you to carry that spirit of gratitude forward — not just on Nov. 11, but every day that we walk in the light of the freedom our heroes have preserved.

Jeremiah J. Schneider serves as the Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs, where he leads efforts to honor and support the state’s veterans and their families.