Letters to the Editor
Future Eagle Scout says 'thanks for the newspaper'
Hello, my name is a Cameron Barr of Troop 212 in Brandon. I am doing this for an Eagle Scout-required merit badge and would like to say thank you for all you do.
Every town needs an editor for the newspaper and if anyone appreciates you, it would be my grandmother. You do a great job and keep her day a little bit better. Thank you for all you do for the great city of Brandon.
Cameron Barr
Brandon
SD National Guard shouldn't be 'auctioned off'
Governor Noem,
We are writing you today regarding your June 29, 2021, press release announcing the deployment of up to 50 South Dakota National Guard troops to Texas. Within that press release, you stated “The deployment will be paid for by a private donation.” This is a misuse of our National Guard, and no troops should ever be made available for privately contracted mercenary assignments. Not only does it raise ethical questions, but privatized deployments set dangerous precedent for further political use of our National Guard. We ask that you cancel the deployment immediately and return the funds to the donor.
We believe it is imperative that an apology is offered to the South Dakota National Guard. South Dakota’s uniformed forces should not be available for citizen use, and we ask that you don’t force our men and women in uniform to act on behalf of private donations. We feel that this alters our National Guard into a private, employed security force and diminishes and demeans the oath they took to protecting South Dakota and the United States. Our National Guard are to be respected and treated with dignity rather than transferable to the highest bidder.
Respectfully,
Representative Jamie Smith
Representative Erin Healy
Representative Shawn Bordeaux
Representative Linda Duba
Representative Ryan Cwach
Representative Peri Pourier
Representative Oren Lesmeister
Representative Jennifer Keintz
Senator Troy Heinert
Senator Red Dawn Foster
Senator Reynold Nesiba
