A nod to the fallen this Memorial Day; an ode to a firefighter's dedication: Your letters

Your letters to the editor for May 26, 2024:

The Fallen

Wounded Warriors and the fallen, are for you and me, a thing of beauty as they fought, to keep our land still free.

Such a beauty we do honor, on this Memorial Day, wishing their sweet families, our heart felt thanks we say.

In many VA's I have seen the wounded suffer much, as doctors sought to heal their wounds, with gentle loving touch.

But inside these men and women, of iron and metal made, I see within a struggle still, to make the battles fade.

And if I could then wish a wish, to give to them today, it would be that the battles hush, and peace then find it's way, within their souls and in their minds, no more the battle hear, instead to hear the children laugh, to bring the warrior cheer.

So thank you warrior friend salute, I do remembering well, it is for me you fought, some died, in battlefields from hell.

And I salute you.

− William Elliot, Hot Springs

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A big thank you

On May 7th, myself and 84 other United States Veterans were on Midwest Honor Flight 18 (MHF-18) to Washington DC as a "Thank You" for our service in the United States Military. We were veterans of the Army, Navy, Marine Corp and Air Force, and served in the Korean War and Vietnam War. While in Washington, we toured the many memorials, the US Capital, and Arlington National Cemetery. It was a truly sobering and rewarding experience.Now the THANK YOU. Our flight ,and many earlier and future flights, have been sponsored by the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation for an "all expenses paid" flight. That is not all. A huge thank you goes out to MHF-18 volunteers who made sure all 85 veterans were taken care of with respect, good humor, meals, and safety precautions. Each veteran had an assigned guardian to watch out for their veteran. My brother was my guardian. The Sioux Center American Legion Auxiliary 199 prepared breakfast prior to our flight. I do not have a count of all the volunteers, medics, ground and flight personnel ( who must have loaded and unloaded wheel chairs at least 20 times from four tour buses). And of course, the MHF CEO Aaron E. Van Beek. I believe the volunteers were just as tired as us veterans by the time we landed in Sioux Falls. If you are an eligible Veteran, do not hesitate to apply to participate in a future flight. Your flight will be truly memorable. MHF is a part a National Honor Flight Network.

− Richard Graber, Sioux Falls

A firefighter's dedication

A shout out to Sioux Falls Fire Rescue and EMS. Recently a Good Samaritan called 911 after seeing a 90 year old man fall down while mowing his lawn. Fortunately, the injuries were not serious and the on-site first aid rendered was sufficient. But their care didn’t end there. A Fire Rescue member stayed to finish mowing this man’s yard! What a wonderful display of kindness and dedication to public service.

− Stephanie Becker, Sioux Falls

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How to submit a letter to the editor:

Letters need to be roughly 300 to 500 words, and will need to include first and last name, address, city and title. Addresses won’t be publicized, of course, but it’s a way for us to make sure those who submit a letter are who they say they are.

Letters will run on Sundays in print and online as we receive them. There may be moments, however, when we don't have any as we work to solicit interest and actively rebuild this part of our coverage for readers.

You can submit those to News Director Shelly Conlon by emailing sconlon@argusleader.com or submit them through our online form here, which also is sent directly to the news director.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: A nod to the fallen this Memorial Day; an ode to a firefighter's dedication: Your letters