Due to COVID concerns, VFW Post 1273 was unable to hold the annual Veterans Day Parade in Rapid City. Instead, they held a remembrance ceremony at Memorial Park. VFW Commander Wayne Swier spoke, as well as Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender, who read the proclamation from his office designating November 11, 2020, as Veterans Day in Rapid City. The Mayor and Commander also highlighted the history of Veterans Day and how it came to be.

Colors were presented along with taps and a gun salute. A veteran of the first Gulf War was there in full head dress, representing Native American veterans.

Julie Hauber and Corey Virtue represented Black Hills Energy, along with Jeff Smith from Border States, at a booth handing out green light bulbs to attendees. Green lights are part of an initiative to ‘greenlight’ veterans forward as members of their communities as they return home from service. Green is the color of hope, renewal and well-being, and the act of changing one light to green outside your home is intended to spark a national conversation regarding the recognition of veterans.

Commander Wayne thanked Black Hills Energy for our presence at the event.

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