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Veteran Services
The staff of the Beadle County Veterans Service Office is available to assist veterans and their families in obtaining all benefits and services available to them including:
- Enrollment for VA Healthcare
- Veterans and Widows Pension
- Compensation for service-connected disabilities
- Education and on-the-job training
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Replacement of a lost discharge (DD-214)
- VA Loan Guaranty Certificate
- Burial benefits and grave marker application
- National Cemetery information
- Obtaining service medals and awards
Other Links
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- South Dakota State Website
- U.S. Veterans Resource
Veteran's Poem
I became what others did not want to be.
I went where others did not want to go
and did what others did not want to do.
I asked nothing from those who did not go
and accepted the promise of eternal loneliness should I fail.
I have seen the face of terror; I have felt the sting of fear.
I have enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's love.
I have lived times best forgotten.
But most of all,
I am able to say
that I am proud of what I am…..
A Veteran
Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor recipient Michael J. Fitzmaurice
Former resident of Cavour and Yale, Beadle County, South Dakota
On October 3, 1998, Governor William J. Janklow and Major General Philip Killey dedicated the South Dakota Veterans Home to Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Michael J. Fitzmaurice. Thus, the real name of the home is the Michael J. Fitzmaurice Veterans Home
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to:
Fitzmaurice, Michael John
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Troop D, 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division.
Place and date: Khesanh, Republic of Vietnam, 23 March 1971.
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Fitzmaurice, 3d Platoon, Troop D, distinguished himself at Khesanh. Sp4c. Fitzmaurice and 3 fellow soldiers were occupying a bunker when a company of North Vietnamese sappers infiltrated the area. At the onset of the attack Sp4c. Fitzmaurice observed 3 explosive charges which had been thrown into the bunker by the enemy. Realizing the imminent danger to his comrades, and with complete disregard for his personal safety, he hurled 2 of the charges out of the bunker. He then threw his flak vest and himself over the remaining charge. By this courageous act he absorbed the blast and shielded his fellow-soldiers. Although suffering from serious multiple wounds and partial loss of sight, he charged out of the bunker, and engaged the enemy until his rifle was damaged by the blast of an enemy hand grenade. While in search of another weapon, Sp4c. Fitzmaurice encountered and overcame an enemy sapper in hand-to-hand combat. Having obtained another weapon, he returned to his original fighting position and inflicted additional casualties on the attacking enemy. Although seriously wounded, Sp4c. Fitzmaurice refused to be medically evacuated, preferring to remain at his post. Sp4c. Fitzmaurice's extraordinary heroism in action at the risk of his life contributed significantly to the successful defense of the position and resulted in saving the lives of a number of his fellow soldiers. These acts of heroism go above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit on Sp4c. Fitzmaurice and the U.S. Army.
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Taylor Jans
Director of Emergency Management
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Veteran Services
Mailing Address
450 3rd Street SW
Suite 103
Huron, SD 57350
Phone: 605-353-8415Fax: 605-353-8416