Speaker 1: This weekend is a very special weekend. Memorial Day is Monday.
Speaker 1: So what is Memorial Day? Sadly, for some it's just
Speaker 1: a day off work, or maybe it's a day to
Speaker 1: celebrate with family and have a picnic. And even more sadly,
Speaker 1: it's a day for car sales or mattress sales. Well,
Speaker 1: that's not what Memorial Day is all about. Memorial Day
Speaker 1: was first set up right after the Civil War. Over
Speaker 1: a half a million people died in the Civil War,
Speaker 1: and for the first Memorial Day, women down south were
Speaker 1: putting flowers on the graves of not just Confederate soldiers,
Speaker 1: but their cousins and brothers in the Union side as well.
Speaker 1: If you're trying to find a way to commemorate Memorial
Speaker 1: weekend and do something special with your family, I would
Speaker 1: invite you to join us at Veterans Memorial Park. Rolling
Speaker 1: Thunder has an amazing program they do each and every year.
Speaker 1: It's today at two pm. This is a free event
Speaker 1: that honors prisoners of war and missing an action from
Speaker 1: World War One seven four hundred and seventy prisoners of
Speaker 1: war and missing an action World War II one hundred
Speaker 1: and twenty four thousand and seventy nine, Prisoners of War
Speaker 1: thirty thousand, three hundred and fourteen missing in action, Korean
Speaker 1: War seven thousand, one hundred and forty, Prisoners of War
Speaker 1: eight thousand, one hundred and seventy seven missing in action,
Speaker 1: Vietnam War seven hundred and sixty six, Prisoners of War
Speaker 1: seventeen hundred and nineteen missing in action, during the Cold
Speaker 1: War Era one hundred and twenty six missing in action,
Speaker 1: and Iraq War six missing in action. It's difficult to
Speaker 1: pinpoint the exact pow MIA statistics specifically for South Dakota
Speaker 1: and Minnesota during World War One, but for World War
Speaker 1: Two from South Dakota three hundred and fifteen from Minnesota
Speaker 1: fourteen hundred, Korean War from South Dakota thirty four and
Speaker 1: from Minnesota nineteen. For the Vietnam Era from South Dakota
Speaker 1: five from Minnesota thirty three. Cold War numbers for South
Speaker 1: Dakota and Minnesota are not readily available, same with the
Speaker 1: Iraq War. Now, after all of those numbers, let's talk
Speaker 1: about a different number. One. There's one person we are
Speaker 1: going to honor today at the event. Please allow me
Speaker 1: to introduce you today to someone who represented and embraced
Speaker 1: the meaning of service to our country. It is with
Speaker 1: great privilege that we share his story with you today.
Speaker 1: Donald E. Laudner's military service reads like an epic chapter
Speaker 1: of dedication, skill, and resilience, a testament to a tradition
Speaker 1: in which Native Americans have long answered the nation's call
Speaker 1: enlistment and early training. In nineteen fifty, amid the fervor
Speaker 1: of the Korean War, Laudner, a proud member of the
Speaker 1: Hunpaki Sioux tribe, lined up alongside countless young men and
Speaker 1: women to service country. Driven by a deep sense of
Speaker 1: duty and inspired by a storied history of Native American service,
Speaker 1: he embarked on his military journey at Fort Carson in Colorado. There,
Speaker 1: rigorous basic training laid the foundation for his future, instilling discipline, resilience,
Speaker 1: and the skill that would later define his contributions. Shortly after,
Speaker 1: he attended communications school, where his proficiency and code encryptation
Speaker 1: soon turned him into a lynchpin in the Army's efforts
Speaker 1: to secure vital military communications. With the demands of war
Speaker 1: requiring not only bravery but meticulous precision, Ouner distinguished himself
Speaker 1: during training exercises his expert handling of Grenade's remarkably accurate
Speaker 1: under pressure earned him the nickname Tomahawk. This moniker was
Speaker 1: more than just a label. It symbolized the fusion of
Speaker 1: modern techniques with timeless cultural heritage and forged his reputation
Speaker 1: among his peers. His progress from a trainee to an
Speaker 1: instructor in the field underscored both his technical acumen and
Speaker 1: his commitment to mentoring others in the art of secured communications.
Speaker 1: Laudner's role evolved from training ground achievements to active involvement
Speaker 1: in combat operations. Beyond the physical perils of battle, he
Speaker 1: faced an equally challenging adversary discrimination. As a native American soldier,
Speaker 1: he encountered instances of segregation and prejudice. One particular episode,
Speaker 1: told in his interviews, recounts how even civilian establishments like
Speaker 1: a local cafe would sometimes deny him service because of
Speaker 1: his heritage. Yet, amidst the trials, the steadfast support of
Speaker 1: his commanders and fellow soldiers helped him overcome such challenges,
Speaker 1: reinforcing his resolve and further defining his character. Every day
Speaker 1: in the war zone served to solidify his beliefs in duty, honor,
Speaker 1: and the importance of respecting both his tribe and his
Speaker 1: nation with integrity. Laudner's military career did not conclude with
Speaker 1: the end of the Korean War. Rather, it marked the
Speaker 1: beginning of a lifelong commitment to service, rising through the
Speaker 1: ranks to become a Chief Warrant officer before retiring in
Speaker 1: nineteen eighty three. His legacy was sealed by his determination
Speaker 1: to impart knowledge and safeguard military communication methods for the
Speaker 1: next generation. His experiences in combat and in the training
Speaker 1: field not only provided him with first hand insights into
Speaker 1: modern challenges of warfare, but also instilled in him a
Speaker 1: passion to advocate for Native American veterans later in life.
Speaker 1: His story continues to inspire a vivid reminder of the
Speaker 1: sacrifices made and the perseverance required to overcome both enemy
Speaker 1: fire and societal prejudice. Donald E. Laudner's military journey from
Speaker 1: the determination of a young recruit at Fort Carson to
Speaker 1: a respected instructor and leader in the crucible of combat
Speaker 1: illustrates a narrative filled with courage to tch tchnical mastery
Speaker 1: and the continual drive to excel despite adversity. His life
Speaker 1: as a beacon for those who believe in service tradition
Speaker 1: and the transformative power of resilience. What aspects of his
Speaker 1: wartime experiences or later contributions resonate with you the most,
Speaker 1: or would you like to delve deeper into another facet
Speaker 1: of his remarkable journey. Donald E. Laudner influenced Native American
Speaker 1: veterans representation through a multifaceted approach that intertwined his personal
Speaker 1: military experience with dedicated public service and leadership roles. Championing
Speaker 1: veterans organizations and public policy. Laudner used his leadership position
Speaker 1: to ensure that Native American veterans' voices were heard at
Speaker 1: multiple governmental and community levels. As a prominent figure in
Speaker 1: veteran organizations, he worked tirelessly to highlight the unique challenges
Speaker 1: faced by Native American service members, including discrimination and a
Speaker 1: lack of proper representation. For instance, his involvement in organizations
Speaker 1: such as the American Legion and Disabled Veterans of America
Speaker 1: provided a robust platform for which he pushed for better
Speaker 1: access to benefits, health care, and educational support for Native
Speaker 1: veterans by advocating for policies that recognized the contributions of
Speaker 1: Native American soldiers, often overlooked due to historical marginalization. He
Speaker 1: helped reframe the narrative around Native service, emphasizing a proud
Speaker 1: lineage of valor, even at a time when full citizenship
Speaker 1: rights were yet to be granted. Bridging community and government
Speaker 1: beyond the realm of veteran organizations, Laudner's work in government
Speaker 1: roles significantly bolstered Native representation. Appointed as South Dakota's Coordinator
Speaker 1: of Indian Affairs and later serving as an Agency superintendent
Speaker 1: within the Bureau of Indian Affairs, he directly influenced policy
Speaker 1: decisions affecting Native communities. His service on key committees such
Speaker 1: as the National Census Advisory Committee representing American, Indian, and
Speaker 1: Alaska Native populations, and the National Cemetery Administration Advisory Committee
Speaker 1: ensured that federal systems acknowledged the contribution and needs of
Speaker 1: Native veterans. These roles enabled him to advocate kate not
Speaker 1: only for better benefits, but for dignified recognition in national
Speaker 1: memorials and public records, thus advancing a broader narrative of
Speaker 1: respect and inclusion for Native Americans, elevating the cultural narrative.
Speaker 1: Loudner's own military journey, marked by overcoming discrimination and earning
Speaker 1: the respect of his peers, as evidence by his earned nickname, Tomahawk,
Speaker 1: provided him with a powerful personal platform. By sharing his
Speaker 1: experiences in interviews and public appearances, he brought attention to
Speaker 1: the lifelong tradition of Native American military service, a history
Speaker 1: filled with sacrifice, resilience, and honor. This cultural narrative, woven
Speaker 1: through his personal recollections and public advocacy, played a crucial
Speaker 1: role in changing perceptions both within the military and in
Speaker 1: the broader society. His efforts reasserted that Native Americans have
Speaker 1: long been pillars of military strength, deserving the same recognition
Speaker 1: and honors as their counterparts. Through these avenues, ranging from
Speaker 1: direct advocacy and veterans organizations to influential roles in governmental
Speaker 1: advisory and policy making bodies, Donald E. Laudner created enduring
Speaker 1: pathways for Native American veterans to receive the acknowledgment, benefits,
Speaker 1: and representation they rightfully earned. His legacy continues to resonate
Speaker 1: as a beacon for future efforts aimed at bridging historic
Speaker 1: gaps and ensuring that Native voices remain integral to the
Speaker 1: national conversation on military service and veterans. Affairs. Donald Elaudner's
Speaker 1: impact on improving veteran benefits for Native American service members
Speaker 1: was both broad and deeply transformative. His leadership, particularly as
Speaker 1: National Commander of the National American Indian Veterans, catalyzed several
Speaker 1: key improvements. Enhanced healthcare access. Recognition that many Native veterans
Speaker 1: had historically been underserved due to systematic barriers, Loudner pushed
Speaker 1: for improved healthcare benefits. His efforts helped to highlight the
Speaker 1: unique medical challenges faced by Native veterans, thereby influencing policy
Speaker 1: discussions that aimed to make quality healthcare services more accessible
Speaker 1: and tailored to their needs. Educational support and training opportunities.
Speaker 1: Loudner also championed initiatives to expand educational benefits available to
Speaker 1: Native veterans. By emphasizing the need for advanced training programs
Speaker 1: and educational opportunities, he helped create pathways that allow veterans
Speaker 1: to pursue further education after their service, an essential component
Speaker 1: for reintegration and long term career development. A critical barrier
Speaker 1: from many Native American veterans had been the complexities of
Speaker 1: navigating the Veterans Administration's benefit system. Loudner's advocacy was instrumental
Speaker 1: in pushing for clearer, more accessible processes. He supported efforts
Speaker 1: to train service officers and streamline claims, ensuring that veterans
Speaker 1: received the compensation, rehabilitation, and support they were entitled to
Speaker 1: without undue bureaucratic obstacles. An issue that resonated deeply with
Speaker 1: Loudner was the equitable treatment of Native veterans even in death.
Speaker 1: His initiatives helped to secure measures so that Native American
Speaker 1: veterans were no longer overlooked during military funeral ceremonies. This
Speaker 1: included insurance ring that veterans receive proper military honors, a
Speaker 1: recognition of their sacrifice that had often been denied due
Speaker 1: to systematic neglect. Through these focused efforts, Laudner not only
Speaker 1: improved tangible benefits like healthcare, education, and streamlined via support,
Speaker 1: but also elevated the dignity and visibility of Native veterans
Speaker 1: in national policy and public consciousness. His work contributed to
Speaker 1: a foundational shift in how veteran benefits are administered for
Speaker 1: Native communities, ensuring that their contributions are recognized and honored
Speaker 1: equally alongside those of other service members, and a reminder
Speaker 1: you are invited to join us for a special program
Speaker 1: celebrating his amazing life today at two p m. At
Speaker 1: Veterans Memorial Park in Sioux Falls. More information can be
Speaker 1: found at Facebook dot com Slash Sunny Radio