A Great Day on the Campaign Trail: Honoring Our Veterans and Protecting Our Freedom

Today was a great day on the campaign trail! I got up early this morning and drove in the dark to reach Kyle at dawn, just in time to sign-wave across from Little Wound High School. It was a beautiful morning to brighten people’s day with a smile and a “Good morning!” I also received several honks from people who plan to vote for me.

After sign-waving at the intersection, I was invited to speak to the adults attending the Family and Child Education (FACE) class at 9:15 a.m. I enjoyed sharing my educational background and discussing the importance of completing one’s education. I also appreciated hearing about local concerns, including the difficulty of obtaining a loan to start a small business and the challenges of obtaining renters insurance to protect one’s personal belongings.

Next, I had the pleasure of attending the costume contest in the Little Wound High School gym. The teachers and staff kicked off the Halloween costume parade, and it was wonderful to be there with parents and students dressed in their costumes. The entire gym was filled with music, excitement, and laughter. It was a great opportunity to get out into the community and meet people.

Finally, after watching the costume parade, I left Kyle to check on my signs and put up some yard signs near Potato Creek. Along the way, I stopped at the Oglala Lakota Tribal Akicita Owocahe Veterans Cemetery, east of Kyle, to pay my respects and honor the Native American veterans who served our country and defended our freedoms in times of war and peace.

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It was my first visit to this cemetery, as I rarely travel along this section of BIA Route 2 between Kyle and Potato Creek. The grounds were peaceful as I solemnly walked past the headstones marking the veterans’ graves. It reminded me of walking through Arlington National Cemetery, albeit on a much smaller scale.

As I walked among the graves, I was reminded that these men and women served our country and, in some cases, made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could enjoy the freedoms many of us take for granted. That is why I am running for office: To protect the values and freedoms that are so important to our South Dakota way of life.

This election is about freedom. Do we want to support a candidate who loves this country and stands for freedom, or elect a candidate whose political views would undermine the institutions on which this country was founded? Do we want to follow a path toward socialism, communism, or Marxism in the belief that these ideologies hold the answers to our problems?

I know where I stand. On November 3rd, I will vote for freedom, accountability, and the values that make this country great.

I ask you to join me in supporting Anthony Kathol for District 27 State Senate. Together, let’s protect our freedoms and the South Dakota way of life!