Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan, Yankton, Nov. 13
Serving soldiers who serve us
Last Saturday, America honored its veterans with a holiday that beseeches us to remember our soldiers and the sacrifices they have made and continue to make for this country.
But our thoughts should not simply be about what these soldiers do or have done for us.
On Veterans Day, the Press & Dakotan published an article about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is inflicting a larger number of soldiers than many people may realize. When some soldiers return from a tour of duty, they have trouble adjusting to their “normal” civilian lives, or they have difficulty processing their experiences in war.
This has contributed to a startling suicide rate among returning troops. South Dakota Secretary of Veteran Affairs Larry Zimmerman said that this state averages two military suicides per month. This trend is by no means confined to South Dakota: In September, the Veterans Administration in Washington reported that veterans were at a 22 percent higher risk of suicide than civilians.
As a nation, we must dedicate ourselves to dealing with soldiers struggling with PTSD. If we are, as it appears, to remain in an ongoing war on terror with no end in sight, then dealing effectively with the mental consequences that military experience may create must be a priority.
This may be easier said than done.
Frankly, America has been slow to recognize the existence and seriousness of mental health issues in general. Certainly, it’s hard to place measurements on these conditions: They don’t show up in X-rays or in blood work. Health insurance for years was reluctant to truly recognize mental illness as a legitimate health issue, and there are still people who place a stigma on the specter of mental health problems, in part because they may be unable to grasp what they have not personally experienced. As a result, some people who endure it may be reluctant to speak of it or even admit it to themselves.
However, this has gradually changed during the last 25 years, with a greater recognition of mental health issues developing. But a lot of work remains.
PTSD is not confined to military personnel; it can happen to anyone who has been subjected to a traumatic experience. A government study reported last year that 8 percent of all Americans suffer from PTSD at some point in their lives. But for veterans, that number rises into the double digits, ranging up to 20 percent in some instances.
Still, it can be perplexing territory, not only for the general public but also for the victims of mental illness, who may not understand what they are enduring and may be ashamed or afraid of seeking help. In that sense, perhaps soldiers grappling with PTSD are really no different than civilians who are also dealing with depression or thoughts of suicide.
Our soldiers see things and endure things that many civilians cannot understand or imagine, and that makes the impact of PTSD even more profound - and more isolating.
The issue of soldiers struggling to deal with their wartime experiences is nothing new, but there is a brighter spotlight on it now than ever before. It’s no longer something smothered in silence
America cannot look away from this issue. If we train men and women to fight for us and defend us, we owe it to them to offer any help any of them may need when they return home.
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Rapid City Journal, Rapid City, Nov. 16
Mayor’s survey on city budget worth doing
Whether you agree with Mayor Steve Allender’s policies or not, he deserves credit for a willingness to make a case for what he believes in and then working to that end, which makes him more transparent than most politicians.
Allender, now in his second term as Rapid City’s mayor, has made numerous power-point presentations recently throughout the community about the status of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center’s Barnett Arena. For those who took the time to attend one of them, the mayor spelled out the options - rebuild or repair - and why he believes a new arena is in the city’s best long-term interest.
In the case of the arena and with proposed policy changes or new initiatives, the mayor uses Facebook, Twitter and his blog to articulate his positions on these matters. If anyone chooses to pay attention, it’s not hard to learn what Allender is thinking on the major issues of the day. Those who follow him also have likely noticed that he can get frustrated with a public that often is only peripherally aware of the mechanics of government yet has plenty to say about it.
Recent postings on his blog (theother98cents.com - inspired by the Journal’s Your Two Cents feature that often has reader complaints about politicians or government) lamented low voter turnout for local elections while challenging excuses to not vote, the importance of consultants to government agencies, and an explanation on funding for a new Barnett Arena. While not in President Trump’s league, he tweets frequently about city issues.
The object of his latest concern is the city budget. The mayor, an advocate of priority-based budgeting, believes too many residents and council members responded with their hearts rather than their heads when his proposed funding cuts to the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, the Allied Arts Fund and Journey Museum were rejected after supporters mounted campaigns to preserve them. Now, the city council’s approval of a plan to increase water rates by 43 percent over the next five years faces the prospect of a challenge from a citizen’s group in a special election.
In a likely response to the push back from those outside the circles of city government, Allender has unveiled a survey that he hopes will shine light on the budgeting process from his perspective. He also hopes the exercise will help residents understand “emotion makes terrible public policy.”
While a survey might be more useful and certainly scientific if the city had hired a consultant to do it, it still gives the public a chance to weigh in on priorities in a broad sense and let the mayor know what residents care about before the next budget is proposed in 2018.
The survey is on the homepage of the city’s website (rcgov.org) and 3,000 additional surveys will be mailed to randomly selected residents. It consists of 14 questions and allows for additional comments throughout. It can easily be completed in less than 20 minutes. Allender also has promised to share the results with the city council. The deadline to respond is Dec. 22.
While it is everyone’s right to criticize government, those critiques carry more weight from an informed citizenry. One of the biggest threats to democracy and America is apathy - fewer people are voting and participating in civic affairs and more seem angry about the state of affairs.
While filling out a survey won’t change that dynamic overnight, it nonetheless presents an opportunity to get more engaged in government while demanding more from our elected and non-elected officials. Tell the mayor what you believe is important. He promises to listen.
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American News, Aberdeen, Nov. 15
Time to be thankful for successes sparked by hard work
When November rolls around, it’s a good time to remember to be thankful.
Today, much of our thanks is directed to the many people, ideas and work that have recently filled our pages with good news. Each example shows how people across the region truly care about where they live and work and that hard work pays off.
Four-legged veteran: While we paused last week to express appreciation and applaud all of those who have served in the armed forces, there was a special four-legged veteran honored during a Friday school program.
Lex, a 12-year-old German Shepherd, recently retired after serving 10 years as a combat training dog. He now lives with a family in Aberdeen. During his years of service, Lex was deployed five times. When he retired, he outranked his handler.
Richmond dam: Needed repairs are underway on the Richmond Lake dam, which should ensure the safety of hundreds and maybe even thousands of people who live downstream.
The dam was built in 1936 and maintenance is an obvious key to longevity and making sure it doesn’t fail. The repairs will extend the dam’s lifespan by at least 20 years, said Ryan Brunner, state commissioner of school and public lands.
Paying attention to the dam didn’t start when the repair word did. A visit to Pierre five years ago by members of the Richmond Lake Homeowners Association got the ball rolling.
It’s great to see people rewarded for getting involved in the governmental process.
Strong educators in the Dakotas: As a teacher, FFA adviser and female farmer, Bailey Coats of Doland well earned the 2017 Young Gun of Ag Award from South Dakota Women in Agriculture.
Coats not only lives agriculture, she shares her knowledge and passion with all ages of students and prepares future generations to farm and ranch. Her contributions help ensure that women continue to earn more respect in the industry, which she said makes her long hours worthwhile.
Tara Steiner was named the Title I teacher of the year in North Dakota. She teaches at Oakes Elementary School. She was humble in noting that the school is doing well because of more than her efforts.
“I’m honored to accept the award . but I know it truly is a team effort, that we work together. It’s a team of teachers and I’m just one piece of that puzzle,” Steiner said.
Brave effort: The Britton-Hecla football team earned the Class 9A state championship in a game that was as entertaining as it was exciting.
The Braves beat Corsica-Stickney 44-26 in overtime. They never led in regulation but scored a touchdown, then recovered a fumble in overtime to procure the title. Congratulations to coach Pat Renner and his players. Well done.
3M volunteers: Each year many of our local businesses give back to the communities in which their employees live. 3M Aberdeen continues to stand out as its 650-plus employees volunteer more than 5,000 hours per year.
In three of the last four years an Aberdeen plant worker has been honored with a 3Mgives Volunteer Award. This year’s recipient was Andy Rehder, who estimates he volunteers around 25 hours per month by serving on various boards, coaching soccer, helping in classrooms and more.
Only 26 of the awards are given out each year, with 10 to 12 in the U.S, said Janet Hedges, human resources supervisor at 3M Aberdeen.
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