WELCOME
On May 11th,
Mely Rahn of Rapid City presented her World War II memories of living in the tiny village of Vignaux, where she and her father and nurse fled when Germany occupied the country. They hid there for three years.
"I will be forever grateful to the people in that village," Rahn says. "They probably saved our lives." She and her father left Vignaux just before she turned 6, and later immigrated to the US. She remains a student of the military history surrounding this part of her girlhood. more
World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold war–Jerry Teachout of Piedmont, South Dakota, has flown just about everything for the US Air Force. His newly written autobiography was available at the May 11th meeting. excerpt
May 18th: A Historical Journey with World War II USAF Pilot Chuck Childs, hosted by the South Dakota Pilots Assn. There are not many USAF B-17 pilots who flew during World War II that can share their personal experience of bombing missions over Germany. Mr. Chuck L. Childs is now 93 years old and can still recall his humanitarian flights during the Berlin Airlift. Come join us as we celebrate Chuck's contribution to our nation and his determination in making sure the airlift is never forgotten. Come to Western Dakota Technical Institute, 10 am.
May 29-30: World War II mini Air Show at Rapid City Regional Airport. Sponsored by Texax Flying Legends and the South Dakota Pilots Association. more
On June 8th, Lt. Col. Les Snyder (USAF ret) will talk about his bombing missions during the Korean War. Snyder is Professor emeritus at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. more
On July 13th, Dr. Dennis Edwards will talk about the Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilots of World War II. He is District 2 Commander of American Legion Post 22 in Rapid City. more
On August 10th, CMSgt Richard Lake (USAF ret) will talk more about his time as a B-52 tail gunner during the Vietnam War. Read his story under "War in Vietnam" button on top of page.
On September 14th, Col Debra Shattuck (USAF ret), former commander of the 28th Maintenance Group at Ellsworth Air Force Base, will present her research on the USS Grunion submarine which disappeared during WWII off Kiska, Alaska (after reporting "intense anti-submarine activity."
more on speaker series as a national model
South Dakota War Stories Book. Update from Lt.Col George Larson. Merriam Press, as of Wednesday April 10, 2013, has the information on my "South Dakota War Stories Book," which covers a time period of South Dakota history from 1800 to 2012. Many stories from local veterans, including over 40 articles I have written since 1994. The submit book has a unique cover, three pages of table of contents, 227 pages of text-with no photos. No time frame on the publication date. This was done with a lot of help from the South Dakota Veterans Writing Group.
Publishers are calling, e-mails and writing hard copy letters requesting book materials. I have more requests for books than materials at this time. I have begun researching a new book on the military bases in North Dakota.
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Lots of articles about the Black Hills Veterans Writing Group on this site. Put the name of our Group in "Search & Hit Enter" box to see short articles and pictures of your veteran friends.
Check out www.sdHeroes.com to see if you like the community of thought and people who visit there, including veterans, writers, military historians, active-duty military, and patriots of all kinds. Some of you might want to contribute short pieces to keep in shape as writers.
Send us a message to be on confidential email list to receive monthly notices of meetings. Do you have a story about your military service that you'd like to share and possibly write down? We'd like to hear from you.
Contact us at veterans@battlestory.org