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women that wake up every day committed to defend it. While we honor our courageous service members, let us also take special care to honor the families that support them. This month, I hope all South Dakotans will take a moment to thank a military family member for the sacrifices they make for our country.   

• Battles fought in wars around the world, both past and present, have been depicted for many Americans through the lens of a camera. Behind the triumphs and the sadness of the photographs, are the men and women who have so valiantly honored the call to duty in defense of freedom. These men and women, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice, have protected our nation from foreign and domestic threats, and fought in the name of liberty all over the world.
• This September, I had the great opportunity to help welcome home the 842^nd Engineer Company of the South Dakota National Guard. The 160 men and women of the Spearfish, Belle Fourche, and Sturgis-based unit represent some of the best that both South Dakota and our nation have to offer. These servicemen and women, like so many before them, honored the call to duty and selflessly put the welfare of our nation before their own personal needs.
• This Veterans Day we pause to thank and pay tribute to the veterans and active members of the military who have risked life and limb protecting our freedoms. South Dakota veterans, young and old, connect us to the past and present struggles for freedom and peace. Their honor, duty, and patriotism make us proud to call them family, friends, and neighbors, and we honor the memory of those who have fallen, keeping all who serve in our prayers.

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