Seven-year veteran counts down Rapid City parade participation
Veterans in South Dakota mark the 2026 commemoration with a procession through downtown streets and a luncheon at VFW Post 1273.
By Madison Darwish ·
Veterans and residents walked through the center of Rapid City, South Dakota, on Wednesday for the annual Veterans Day parade. The event brought together service members from multiple eras to recognize those who have served in the United States military.
The procession started near VFW Post 1273 on Main Street with a gun salute and the sound of taps. Following the march, the post held its annual appreciation luncheon for veterans and community members.
Jerome Gau, who served from 1955 to 1957, rode in the parade alongside a long-time friend. Gau worked in a hospital pathology department in Korea during his time in the military. He described the day as a rare opportunity to reconnect with a peer from his generation.
“It was great. He’s been an old friend for a long time,” Gau said. “There’s not many of us left.” He noted that his cohort returned from service in small groups without much public attention. He hopes the parade helps younger generations understand American history and the contributions of previous service members.
Richard Means, a veteran from the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation, also participated. Means served from 1989 to 1994, including during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He emphasized the importance of recognizing living veterans from various conflicts, including Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Damian Monreal, a Marine who originally lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, attended his seventh consecutive Rapid City parade. He served in Kuwait during Desert Storm and said the experience increased his appreciation for the country. “I did enjoy every second of the parade and I love it every year,” Monreal said.
Lin Thompson and Skip Collver represented the Elks Lodge during the event. Thompson served in the South Dakota Army National Guard from 1975 to 2004 and retired as a sergeant first class. He highlighted the unit's role in responding to local needs, such as forest fires. Collver, who served in the Army from 1988 to 1992, noted that only a small percentage of the population volunteers for military service. He said their work often goes unseen but makes a difference at home.
