Campbell: Fitting for country to renew commitment to its veterans

HURON – Veterans from South Dakota and across America come from all walks of life, but share one thing in common: a love of country, Sgt. Zackary Campbell said at the Huron Veterans Day program on Saturday.
Although less than 1 percent of the population has chosen to serve in the all-volunteer military, they do so “because it’s necessary for the greater good and to keep our nation safe,” he said.
Campbell is a teacher at Huron High School teacher and a member of the 153rd Engineer Battalion.
He said more than 8,000 members of the South Dakota National Guard have been activated since the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.
“Their service is built on courage, dedication and patriotism,” Campbell said.
He said it’s fitting that the United States renews its commitment to the veterans of the country.
“First and foremost, we owe them our freedom, and today, especially, we owe them our gratitude,” he said.
For 18 years, Jodi Jensen of rural Iroquois served in the Army Reserve and the Army and Air National Guard.
While in the military, she said she served her brothers in arms in many capacities.
Jensen said she never saw combat and doesn’t consider herself to be a hero.

“But where I am most proud were the moments I was called to serve my community,” she said.
She got emotional when she described the aftermath of natural disasters she witnessed with two earthquakes and Hurricane Katrina.
“Serving my country, my God and my community is exactly where I wanted to be,” Jensen said.
Of all that it means to be a veteran, she said service is most important.
“I knew my service, wherever I was, meant something,” she said when talking about the devastation of houses and businesses for mile after mile following the hurricane.
Campbell has been deployed twice, the second time with the 153rd Engineer Battalion in late 2016.
The soldiers completed more than 100 projects in five countries, returning home in October.
Campbell said the soldiers from Huron and Parkston left the United States with a lot of unknowns.
“The efforts of the 153rd literally changed the landscape of Syria and Iraq,” he said. “In most cases, a lot of it was left better than when it was found.”
Their missions saved coalition lives and helped to defeat ISIS, he said.
Veterans are men and women who have always been willing to stand up and answer the call, but ask for so little in return, Campbell said. He said there are 72,000 veterans living in South Dakota who have served from World War II to the present day.
“Our national resolve is demonstrated by the millions who have worn the military uniform,” he said.
“Today, we honor those men and women for their sacrifice and dedication to this country,” Campbell said.
      
Photos by Angelina Della Rocco/Plainsman

Members of Wessington American Legion Post 110 post colors at the beginning of Saturday’s Veterans Day program at the Huron High School Auditorium.

Sgt. Zackary Campbell of the S.D. National Guard 153rd Engineer Battalion delivered one of the keynote addresses at Saturday’s ceremony.