During a recent government meeting, the Pennington County Commission addressed several key agenda items, including the addition of the 2024 Festival of Lights Parade to the agenda and a heartfelt recognition of local veterans ahead of Veterans Day.

The meeting commenced with a pledge of allegiance, followed by a discussion on the legality of adding items to the agenda without prior public notice. After confirming that such additions are permissible under open meetings laws, the commission unanimously approved the agenda with the inclusion of the Festival of Lights Parade request.

The highlight of the meeting was the annual veterans' recognition segment, led by Barry Theiss, Director of Pennington County Human Services and the Veterans Service Office. Theiss emphasized the importance of honoring veterans and acknowledged the dedicated work of the county's Veterans Service Office team, which has expanded to include four officers due to the growing veteran population.

Alexander Purcell, Assistant Director of Human Services, reported that the office submitted over 5,000 actionable forms to the Veterans Administration in 2024, averaging 233 new claims each month. The financial impact has been significant, with favorable claims totaling over $5.4 million, marking an increase of more than $1 million from the previous year.

Shane Coval, a graduate of the Pennington County Veterans Treatment Court, shared his personal journey of overcoming addiction and legal challenges with the support of the court. Coval's testimony highlighted the transformative impact of the program, which aims to assist veterans in regaining stability and purpose in their lives. He expressed gratitude for the support he received and emphasized the importance of helping fellow veterans navigate their struggles.

As Veterans Day approaches on November 11th, the commission reiterated its commitment to honoring the sacrifices of veterans and supporting the ongoing efforts of the Veterans Service Office to serve the community's veteran population.