| SENATE COMMEMORATION NO. 21 |
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Introduced by: Senators Maher, Ewing, Greenfield (Brock), and Langer and Representatives
Marty, Ahlers, Bordeaux, Brunner, Campbell, Clark, DiSanto, Frye-Mueller,
Goodwin, Greenfield (Lana), Howard, Jamison, Jensen (Kevin), Johns,
Johnson, Kaiser, Kettwig, Latterell, Lesmeister, Livermont, McCleerey,
Mickelson, Mills, Peterson (Sue), Pischke, Reed, Rozum, Schaefer,
Schoenfish, Soli, Steinhauer, Tulson, Turbiville, and Willadsen
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A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Posthumously honoring the life, character, and
achievements of Bob Hanson.
WHEREAS, Bob Hanson grew up and studied in South Dakota before serving in World War II
with the 15th Horse Cavalry at Ft. Riley, Kansas, riding and training horses, and then serving with
the 15th Mechanized Calvary Reconnaissance Squadron in France, where his armored vehicle came
under artillery fire, and he was severely burned and wounded; and
WHEREAS, after being captured and treated for crippling injuries by German troops, Hanson
spent nine months as a prisoner of war before returning to the United States and eventually being
awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal, the highest honor bestowed in France, on June 19,
2015; and
WHEREAS, Bob Hanson spent the remainder of his days taking care of his wife Donna and
their three sons; displaying his blacksmith skills in his shop in Bison, South Dakota; guiding prairie
dog hunters; raising and training horses; hunting; serving as an EMT and CPR instructor; and
inspiring everyone he encountered with his optimism and work ethic; and
WHEREAS, we pray that our Heavenly Father may ease the anguish of his family's and friends'
grief and leave them only the cherished memory of Bob Hanson, a war hero and hardworking man
of the land:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Ninety-Second Legislature of the
State of South Dakota, that the Legislature posthumously honors, commends, and remembers Bob Hanson for his service to the people of South Dakota and the United States of America. In token of South Dakota's common perpetual grief at his loss, this commemoration is enrolled and appropriately immortalized for posterity.
