I posted most of this earlier today somewhere else.

I typically haven't done much for Memorial Day in the past but decided to make a change today and visit the rather new South Dakota Veterans Cemetery that is located only a mile or two from the I-90 and I-229 interchange. It is located in the valley of Slip Creek as that stream nears its confluence with the Big Sioux River. This has made the location of the new cemetery close to the city but still sort of remote given the limited rural roads through the river bluff hills. However, it will become busier as more grave sites are added, as well as a new golf course and housing development that is being built a bit south and west.

My photos will enter the gate and then go to the current top of the hill where the cremains vaults are located, work the way down to the traditional grave sites, and finally show several name markers. One of the selected markers was a man I knew and the other caught my eye. The first selected marker belongs to John Boehmer who I went to church with and ushered with here in bedroom town. John won the Bronze Star with Valor at the age of 20 in Vietnam. I got to know more about John's Vietnam experiences through photo scrapbooks that his daughter has in her possession. I knew John when he was much older and a bit rotund so a person wouldn't initially think that he had been a very lean Airborne Ranger lugging around a 25 pound M-60 through the hills of central Vietnam.

The other marker that I'll show up close belongs to Kenneth Jump. I never knew Mr. Jump but the inscription "Restored" and 1 Peter 5:10 caught my eye. In Kenneth's case, I don't know if that "restoration" was spiritual, physical or both, but I suspect there's a good number people who's earthly remains are in this cemetery who' souls would echo that thought. Here is 1 Peter 5:10 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

I left the place quite moved and reflective...

Thank you sir for posting your incite and knowledge of the Veterans Cemetery that you recently visited It s fine example of that fact there are things to do and see through out the United Sates that we should all make better use off I lost a cousin in Vietnam in1968 When I had the chance to visit the Wall in Washington DC I went And it was something thst was a very touching moment for me Again thas for the post.

Thank you for posting this.

Thank you both for the comments!!

Have not seen this one yet I go by the one out West it’s impressive and well taken care of a very humbling site.

Yeah, Law Dog, that's a federal military cemetery. I heard there is a several year wait for be buried there. This one has some federal money in it but is state run. Probably little if no wait here.

Thanks for posting. I would like to visit it someday! Visiting the Wall was a very humbling experience. Gonna have to see this one.

Thanks for posting that