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

Veteran's Poem

American Flag with the Pledge of Allegiance 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. FitzmauriceMedal 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.