Serving with Purpose

Article Body

Serving with Purpose

By: Gov. Larry Rhoden
November 13, 2026

250 years ago, the United States of America was founded in the midst of a war. That war was fought over our very right to exist as a free and independent nation. About 230,000 Americans served in that war, and about 25,000 of them died.

But we did not fight alone. From France, General Lafayette brought a contingent to help us in our fight. My great-great-great grandfather and his four brothers were with them, and my family line was very nearly snuffed out. My ancestor survived; his four brothers did not.

And in the 250 years since, American men and women have fought and died here at home and in many a foreign field - including repaying our debt to France on more than one occasion. My grandfather fought in World War I, including at the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. My dad fought in World War II, including at the Battle of the Bulge. And my brother fought in Vietnam.

The particulars of their fights may have been different. But the main purpose has never changed.

Millions of Americans have donned the uniform of our armed forces. Then, they raised their right hand and sworn an oath. And I'd like to include that oath here:

I, (state your name), do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; And that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

Each of the men and women in our armed forces swore an oath to the Constitution - the very document that enshrines our American freedoms. And from thereon out, they purposed to defend those freedoms.

Quite a few years ago, I swore that same oath. Then, I followed my family's long tradition of service by serving six years in our National Guard. My son, Cody, also swore that oath and flew Blackhawk helicopters. My service, and Cody's service, had the same purpose as my great-great-great grandfather's: to secure and defend American freedom.

I may not be in the National Guard any longer, but I still purpose every day to defend American freedom. That purpose includes serving as Governor and Commander in Chief of the South Dakota National Guard. And it's a key component of my mission as Governor to keep South Dakota strong, safe, and free.

This week, we celebrated our veterans on Veteran's Day. I hope you took the opportunity to thank a veteran, and I hope our veterans basked in the thanks. But don't let it end there. Veteran's Day is about much more than just saying "thank you." It's about remembering why that service was necessary in the first place. And it's about repurposing ourselves to continue defending American freedom.

As President Reagan challenged us, each generation of Americans has a responsibility to carry freedom forward. And here in South Dakota, we do it better than anywhere else. We are the freest state in a nation founded on the principles of freedom. And it is each of our responsibility to continue that.

So, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of this great nation, let's remember what makes America special. Let's take an extra moment to thank the brave men and women in uniform who help keep us free. And let's never forget our own responsibility to do the same.

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