Veterans
More on Veterans
More than 20,000 of our National Guard troops lined the streets of Washington this week to help safely usher in the peaceful transition of power. It was a striking image to see firsthand.
After the violence in the Capitol, these men and women dropped everything to come protect the streets of America’s capital city.
The Christmas season is a time of joy, thankfulness, and blessings. Families will gather together, give gifts, and drink libations. This year will look a little different though, and I was reminded as we sacrifice and keep our gatherings smaller this year, there are millions of Americans who have made that sacrifice willingly for generations – our servicemen and women.
Washington, D.C. – Today, a provision authored by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) to improve the Department of Defense’s (DoD) approach to overseeing weapon systems investments was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 Conference Report.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued the following statements after Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie indicated the VA would begin the process to formally rescind its earlier record of decision to realign the VA Black Hills Health Care System, which would have significantly reduced services at the Hot Springs VA medical center.
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D) today announced that they are accepting applications to the U.S. military academies for the class entering in the summer of 2021.
Students interested in attending a service academy must first obtain a nomination from a member of Congress. Thune and Johnson will make nominations to the Military Academy at West Point, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.
Today, military homecomings are met with open arms, tears of joy, parades, and celebrations – a concept that is a bit foreign to the nearly three million soldiers who returned home from the Vietnam War.
Washington, D.C. – Today in Rapid City, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) honored thirteen Veterans who served during the Vietnam War with a commemoration pin for their service to our nation.
“Too many of our Vietnam-era veterans were not welcomed home properly. It’s never too late to do the right thing,” Johnson said. “That’s why it’s important for me to look these leaders in the eye and tell them that our grateful nation thanks them for their service.”
Duane Conzemius thought back recently on his time of service during the Vietnam War. “It went fast, but it has been awhile,” Conzemius said after a short pause.
Conzemius, along with fellow Vietnam veteran Earl Vanberkum, was presented with the Vietnam Veteran lapel pin Wednesday by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., in a brief ceremony at the Mitchell Veterans Park in downtown Mitchell.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Filemon Vela (D-TX) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) introduced a bipartisan amendment to the House of Representatives’ National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation focuses on improving the Department of Defense’s (DoD) approach to overseeing weapon systems investments.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today announced nine South Dakota students who will be attending one of the United States Service Academies. These students were nominated by Johnson and received an appointment to each student’s preferred academy.
Many may not know that Members of Congress are able to nominate students to our nation’s military academies. It’s a real opportunity to ensure South Dakota values help shape military decisions – and it’s also a real opportunity to make sure the military looks like the American people it’s responsible to defend.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today issued a statement following the bipartisan passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Previously, Johnson supported two legislative packages to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 and provide federal reimbursement to small employers for paid sick and emergency leave provided to their employees. Rep.
Washington, D.C. – Today, legislation authored by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) was included in the House passed National Defense Authorization Act (S. 1790).
A heartfelt “thank you” for service and sacrifice was at the core the deactivation ceremony for South Dakota Army National Guard’s Bravo Battery, 1-147th Field Artillery Battalion and 147th Forward Support Company (FSC) Saturday at the Lincoln High School gym in Sioux Falls.
Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) issued a statement following the U.S. House of Representatives passage of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act, a bill which Rep. Johnson cosponsored earlier this year. Rep. Johnson was a member of the whip team that secured votes for passage.
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today introduced the Rapid Fielding Defense Capabilities and Risk Assessment Act along with Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.-2) and Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA-53).
This legislation will improve the Department of Defense’s (DOD) acquisition processes and lead to refining how a Department capability is developed. In turn, the Department will develop and field capabilities more efficiently, which will enable the Department to deliver a needed capability to the warfighter faster.
RAPID CITY — Fourteen years after Ellsworth Air Force Base escaped then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s base closure list, the Air Force just ensured the base’s long-term future.
Wednesday, the Air Force announced that Ellsworth would receive the first operational B-21 bomber and the formal training unit.
Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, and Dyess Air Force Base in Texas, will also receive B-21 Raiders as they become available.