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<v Speaker 1>This weekend is a very special weekend. Memorial Day is Monday.

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<v Speaker 1>So what is Memorial Day? Sadly, for some it's just

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<v Speaker 1>a day off work, or maybe it's a day to

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<v Speaker 1>celebrate with family and have a picnic. And even more sadly,

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<v Speaker 1>it's a day for car sales or mattress sales. Well,

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<v Speaker 1>that's not what Memorial Day is all about. Memorial Day

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<v Speaker 1>was first set up right after the Civil War. Over

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<v Speaker 1>a half a million people died in the Civil War,

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<v Speaker 1>and for the first Memorial Day, women down south were

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<v Speaker 1>putting flowers on the graves of not just Confederate soldiers,

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<v Speaker 1>but their cousins and brothers in the Union side as well.

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<v Speaker 1>If you're trying to find a way to commemorate Memorial

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<v Speaker 1>weekend and do something special with your family, I would

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<v Speaker 1>invite you to join us at Veterans Memorial Park. Rolling

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<v Speaker 1>Thunder has an amazing program they do each and every year.

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<v Speaker 1>It's today at two pm. This is a free event

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<v Speaker 1>that honors prisoners of war and missing an action from

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<v Speaker 1>World War One seven four hundred and seventy prisoners of

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<v Speaker 1>war and missing an action World War II one hundred

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<v Speaker 1>and twenty four thousand and seventy nine, Prisoners of War

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<v Speaker 1>thirty thousand, three hundred and fourteen missing in action, Korean

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<v Speaker 1>War seven thousand, one hundred and forty, Prisoners of War

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<v Speaker 1>eight thousand, one hundred and seventy seven missing in action,

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<v Speaker 1>Vietnam War seven hundred and sixty six, Prisoners of War

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<v Speaker 1>seventeen hundred and nineteen missing in action, during the Cold

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<v Speaker 1>War Era one hundred and twenty six missing in action,

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<v Speaker 1>and Iraq War six missing in action. It's difficult to

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<v Speaker 1>pinpoint the exact pow MIA statistics specifically for South Dakota

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<v Speaker 1>and Minnesota during World War One, but for World War

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<v Speaker 1>Two from South Dakota three hundred and fifteen from Minnesota

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<v Speaker 1>fourteen hundred, Korean War from South Dakota thirty four and

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<v Speaker 1>from Minnesota nineteen. For the Vietnam Era from South Dakota

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<v Speaker 1>five from Minnesota thirty three. Cold War numbers for South

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<v Speaker 1>Dakota and Minnesota are not readily available, same with the

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<v Speaker 1>Iraq War. Now, after all of those numbers, let's talk

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<v Speaker 1>about a different number. One. There's one person we are

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<v Speaker 1>going to honor today at the event. Please allow me

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<v Speaker 1>to introduce you today to someone who represented and embraced

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<v Speaker 1>the meaning of service to our country. It is with

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<v Speaker 1>great privilege that we share his story with you today.

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<v Speaker 1>Donald E. Laudner's military service reads like an epic chapter

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<v Speaker 1>of dedication, skill, and resilience, a testament to a tradition

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<v Speaker 1>in which Native Americans have long answered the nation's call

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<v Speaker 1>enlistment and early training. In nineteen fifty, amid the fervor

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<v Speaker 1>of the Korean War, Laudner, a proud member of the

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<v Speaker 1>Hunpaki Sioux tribe, lined up alongside countless young men and

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<v Speaker 1>women to service country. Driven by a deep sense of

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<v Speaker 1>duty and inspired by a storied history of Native American service,

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<v Speaker 1>he embarked on his military journey at Fort Carson in Colorado. There,

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<v Speaker 1>rigorous basic training laid the foundation for his future, instilling discipline, resilience,

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<v Speaker 1>and the skill that would later define his contributions. Shortly after,

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<v Speaker 1>he attended communications school, where his proficiency and code encryptation

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<v Speaker 1>soon turned him into a lynchpin in the Army's efforts

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<v Speaker 1>to secure vital military communications. With the demands of war

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<v Speaker 1>requiring not only bravery but meticulous precision, Ouner distinguished himself

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<v Speaker 1>during training exercises his expert handling of Grenade's remarkably accurate

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<v Speaker 1>under pressure earned him the nickname Tomahawk. This moniker was

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<v Speaker 1>more than just a label. It symbolized the fusion of

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<v Speaker 1>modern techniques with timeless cultural heritage and forged his reputation

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<v Speaker 1>among his peers. His progress from a trainee to an

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<v Speaker 1>instructor in the field underscored both his technical acumen and

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<v Speaker 1>his commitment to mentoring others in the art of secured communications.

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<v Speaker 1>Laudner's role evolved from training ground achievements to active involvement

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<v Speaker 1>in combat operations. Beyond the physical perils of battle, he

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<v Speaker 1>faced an equally challenging adversary discrimination. As a native American soldier,

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<v Speaker 1>he encountered instances of segregation and prejudice. One particular episode,

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<v Speaker 1>told in his interviews, recounts how even civilian establishments like

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<v Speaker 1>a local cafe would sometimes deny him service because of

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<v Speaker 1>his heritage. Yet, amidst the trials, the steadfast support of

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<v Speaker 1>his commanders and fellow soldiers helped him overcome such challenges,

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<v Speaker 1>reinforcing his resolve and further defining his character. Every day

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<v Speaker 1>in the war zone served to solidify his beliefs in duty, honor,

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<v Speaker 1>and the importance of respecting both his tribe and his

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<v Speaker 1>nation with integrity. Laudner's military career did not conclude with

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<v Speaker 1>the end of the Korean War. Rather, it marked the

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<v Speaker 1>beginning of a lifelong commitment to service, rising through the

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<v Speaker 1>ranks to become a Chief Warrant officer before retiring in

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<v Speaker 1>nineteen eighty three. His legacy was sealed by his determination

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<v Speaker 1>to impart knowledge and safeguard military communication methods for the

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<v Speaker 1>next generation. His experiences in combat and in the training

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<v Speaker 1>field not only provided him with first hand insights into

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<v Speaker 1>modern challenges of warfare, but also instilled in him a

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<v Speaker 1>passion to advocate for Native American veterans later in life.

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<v Speaker 1>His story continues to inspire a vivid reminder of the

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<v Speaker 1>sacrifices made and the perseverance required to overcome both enemy

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<v Speaker 1>fire and societal prejudice. Donald E. Laudner's military journey from

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<v Speaker 1>the determination of a young recruit at Fort Carson to

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<v Speaker 1>a respected instructor and leader in the crucible of combat

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<v Speaker 1>illustrates a narrative filled with courage to tch tchnical mastery

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<v Speaker 1>and the continual drive to excel despite adversity. His life

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<v Speaker 1>as a beacon for those who believe in service tradition

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<v Speaker 1>and the transformative power of resilience. What aspects of his

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<v Speaker 1>wartime experiences or later contributions resonate with you the most,

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<v Speaker 1>or would you like to delve deeper into another facet

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<v Speaker 1>of his remarkable journey. Donald E. Laudner influenced Native American

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<v Speaker 1>veterans representation through a multifaceted approach that intertwined his personal

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<v Speaker 1>military experience with dedicated public service and leadership roles. Championing

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<v Speaker 1>veterans organizations and public policy. Laudner used his leadership position

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<v Speaker 1>to ensure that Native American veterans' voices were heard at

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<v Speaker 1>multiple governmental and community levels. As a prominent figure in

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<v Speaker 1>veteran organizations, he worked tirelessly to highlight the unique challenges

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<v Speaker 1>faced by Native American service members, including discrimination and a

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<v Speaker 1>lack of proper representation. For instance, his involvement in organizations

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<v Speaker 1>such as the American Legion and Disabled Veterans of America

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<v Speaker 1>provided a robust platform for which he pushed for better

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<v Speaker 1>access to benefits, health care, and educational support for Native

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<v Speaker 1>veterans by advocating for policies that recognized the contributions of

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<v Speaker 1>Native American soldiers, often overlooked due to historical marginalization. He

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<v Speaker 1>helped reframe the narrative around Native service, emphasizing a proud

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<v Speaker 1>lineage of valor, even at a time when full citizenship

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<v Speaker 1>rights were yet to be granted. Bridging community and government

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<v Speaker 1>beyond the realm of veteran organizations, Laudner's work in government

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<v Speaker 1>roles significantly bolstered Native representation. Appointed as South Dakota's Coordinator

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<v Speaker 1>of Indian Affairs and later serving as an Agency superintendent

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<v Speaker 1>within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, he directly influenced policy

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<v Speaker 1>decisions affecting Native communities. His service on key committees such

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<v Speaker 1>as the National Census Advisory Committee representing American, Indian, and

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<v Speaker 1>Alaska Native populations, and the National Cemetery Administration Advisory Committee

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<v Speaker 1>ensured that federal systems acknowledged the contribution and needs of

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<v Speaker 1>Native veterans. These roles enabled him to advocate kate not

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<v Speaker 1>only for better benefits, but for dignified recognition in national

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<v Speaker 1>memorials and public records, thus advancing a broader narrative of

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<v Speaker 1>respect and inclusion for Native Americans, elevating the cultural narrative.

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<v Speaker 1>Loudner's own military journey, marked by overcoming discrimination and earning

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<v Speaker 1>the respect of his peers, as evidence by his earned nickname, Tomahawk,

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<v Speaker 1>provided him with a powerful personal platform. By sharing his

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<v Speaker 1>experiences in interviews and public appearances, he brought attention to

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<v Speaker 1>the lifelong tradition of Native American military service, a history

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<v Speaker 1>filled with sacrifice, resilience, and honor. This cultural narrative, woven

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<v Speaker 1>through his personal recollections and public advocacy, played a crucial

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<v Speaker 1>role in changing perceptions both within the military and in

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<v Speaker 1>the broader society. His efforts reasserted that Native Americans have

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<v Speaker 1>long been pillars of military strength, deserving the same recognition

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<v Speaker 1>and honors as their counterparts. Through these avenues, ranging from

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<v Speaker 1>direct advocacy and veterans organizations to influential roles in governmental

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<v Speaker 1>advisory and policy making bodies, Donald E. Laudner created enduring

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<v Speaker 1>pathways for Native American veterans to receive the acknowledgment, benefits,

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<v Speaker 1>and representation they rightfully earned. His legacy continues to resonate

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<v Speaker 1>as a beacon for future efforts aimed at bridging historic

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<v Speaker 1>gaps and ensuring that Native voices remain integral to the

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<v Speaker 1>national conversation on military service and veterans. Affairs. Donald Elaudner's

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<v Speaker 1>impact on improving veteran benefits for Native American service members

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<v Speaker 1>was both broad and deeply transformative. His leadership, particularly as

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<v Speaker 1>National Commander of the National American Indian Veterans, catalyzed several

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<v Speaker 1>key improvements. Enhanced healthcare access. Recognition that many Native veterans

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<v Speaker 1>had historically been underserved due to systematic barriers, Loudner pushed

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<v Speaker 1>for improved healthcare benefits. His efforts helped to highlight the

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<v Speaker 1>unique medical challenges faced by Native veterans, thereby influencing policy

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<v Speaker 1>discussions that aimed to make quality healthcare services more accessible

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<v Speaker 1>and tailored to their needs. Educational support and training opportunities.

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<v Speaker 1>Loudner also championed initiatives to expand educational benefits available to

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<v Speaker 1>Native veterans. By emphasizing the need for advanced training programs

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<v Speaker 1>and educational opportunities, he helped create pathways that allow veterans

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<v Speaker 1>to pursue further education after their service, an essential component

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<v Speaker 1>for reintegration and long term career development. A critical barrier

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<v Speaker 1>from many Native American veterans had been the complexities of

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<v Speaker 1>navigating the Veterans Administration's benefit system. Loudner's advocacy was instrumental

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<v Speaker 1>in pushing for clearer, more accessible processes. He supported efforts

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<v Speaker 1>to train service officers and streamline claims, ensuring that veterans

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<v Speaker 1>received the compensation, rehabilitation, and support they were entitled to

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<v Speaker 1>without undue bureaucratic obstacles. An issue that resonated deeply with

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<v Speaker 1>Loudner was the equitable treatment of Native veterans even in death.

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<v Speaker 1>His initiatives helped to secure measures so that Native American

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<v Speaker 1>veterans were no longer overlooked during military funeral ceremonies. This

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<v Speaker 1>included insurance ring that veterans receive proper military honors, a

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<v Speaker 1>recognition of their sacrifice that had often been denied due

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<v Speaker 1>to systematic neglect. Through these focused efforts, Laudner not only

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<v Speaker 1>improved tangible benefits like healthcare, education, and streamlined via support,

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<v Speaker 1>but also elevated the dignity and visibility of Native veterans

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<v Speaker 1>in national policy and public consciousness. His work contributed to

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<v Speaker 1>a foundational shift in how veteran benefits are administered for

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<v Speaker 1>Native communities, ensuring that their contributions are recognized and honored

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<v Speaker 1>equally alongside those of other service members, and a reminder

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<v Speaker 1>you are invited to join us for a special program

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<v Speaker 1>celebrating his amazing life today at two p m. At

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<v Speaker 1>Veterans Memorial Park in Sioux Falls. More information can be

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<v Speaker 1>found at Facebook dot com Slash Sunny Radio