 Public Affairs Director, Jon Michaels talks with Brion Schnurr MMC (SS) Ret. and Kent Winter RM@ (SS) of the United States Submarine Veterans, South Dakota "Scorpion Base". The conversation mainly talked about their community work and the new USS South Dakota submarine.

Public Affairs Director, Jon Michaels talks with Brion Schnurr MMC (SS) Ret. and Kent Winter RM@ (SS) of the United States Submarine Veterans, South Dakota "Scorpion Base". The conversation mainly talked about their community work and the new USS South Dakota submarine.

A community issues and answering program that focuses on the city and people of the Sioux Empire.

Jon Michaels' Forum

FORUM WEEK 2,037: United States Submarine Veterans (South Dakota)

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Lisa Ottmar, Development Director at the Helpline, and Mike Keller, Suicide Prevention and Outreach Program Director, about the Suicide Walk fundraiser on June 6.

From website:

This year's Step Forward to Prevent Suicide Walk will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 9:00am at Fawick Park in Sioux Falls. After we hear a story of hope and healing from guest speakers Dodi and Brian Young, names of those lost to suicide will be read aloud during the Remembrance Ceremony. Then the event will conclude with a 1.5 mile walk from Fawick Park to Cliff Ave and back. 



We encourage people to put together a team or register as an individual as we continue to step forward to prevent suicide and support those bereaved by loss. If you're not able to attend the event but wish to donate, that's great as well! Funds raised through the walk will benefit the Helpline Center's suicide awareness and prevention programs and services.



 For those interested in joining the planning committee, volunteering at the event, or asking general questions, please email donate@helplinecenter.org or call 605-274-1420.

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Lisa Ottmar, Development Director at the Helpline, and Mike Keller, Suicide Prevention and Outreach Program Director, about the Suicide Walk fundraiser on June 6.
From website:
This year's Step Forward to Prevent Suicide Walk will take place on&nbsp;Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 9:00am at Fawick Park in Sioux Falls.&nbsp;After we hear a story of hope and healing from guest speakers Dodi and Brian Young, names of those lost to suicide will be read aloud during the&nbsp;Remembrance Ceremony. Then the event will conclude with a&nbsp;1.5 mile walk&nbsp;from Fawick Park to Cliff Ave and back.&nbsp; 
We encourage people to put together a team or register as an individual as we continue to step forward to prevent suicide and support those bereaved by loss. If you're not able to attend the event but wish to donate, that's great as well! Funds raised through the walk will benefit the Helpline Center's&nbsp;<a href="https://loss.helplinecenter.org/">suicide awareness and prevention programs and services</a>. 
&nbsp;For those interested in joining the planning committee, volunteering at the event, or asking general questions, please email&nbsp;<a>donate@helplinecenter.org</a>&nbsp;or call 605-274-1420.

 Step Forward to Prevent Suicide Walk on Saturday June 6

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) with Erin Brown, Cemetery Director, and Aaron Pollerd, Deputy Secretary, about the SD State Veteran's Cemetery in Sioux Falls.

From AI

South Dakota Veterans Cemetery 4.9•Military cemetery•ClosedWebsite•Directions•(605) 277-8094
Address: 25965 477th Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone: (605) 277-8094
Operated by the South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs
Opened in 2021 as South Dakota’s first federally funded, state-operated veterans cemetery.

The cemetery offers:
Casket burials
Cremation gravesites
Columbarium niches
Scattering garden
Military honors and perpetual care

Eligible veterans are buried at no cost. Eligible spouses and dependents may also qualify for burial services with a fee.

Official cemetery information:
South Dakota Veterans Cemetery Information

You can also pre-apply for eligibility through the state VA website before burial arrangements are needed.

Memorial Day events in Sioux Falls

Memorial Day Ceremony at USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial (605) 367-7141
Monday, May 25, 2026
Ceremony begins around 9:00 AM
Features a large American flag display outlining the historic battleship along the riverfront.
Free admission and museum access.

Memorial Day Program at South Dakota Veterans Cemetery (605) 277-8094
Monday, May 25, 2026
Official veterans remembrance program honoring fallen service members.
One of the largest formal Memorial Day observances in the region.

Downtown & Community Events

You’ll also find:
Patriotic craft activities and family events around town
Farmers markets and live music downtown
Museums and memorial sites hosting special holiday programming

A few places people often visit during Memorial Day weekend:
Washington Pavilion
Hills of Rest Cemetery Wildwood Chapel & Mausoleum
USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial

Traffic note: road work on South Minnesota Avenue may cause delays over the holiday weekend.

You can also browse updated local calendars here:
Experience Sioux Falls Events Calendar
Sioux Falls Festivals & Events

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) with Erin Brown, Cemetery Director, and Aaron Pollerd, Deputy Secretary, about the SD State Veteran's Cemetery in Sioux Falls.
From AI
South Dakota Veterans Cemetery 4.9&bull;Military cemetery&bull;ClosedWebsite&bull;Directions&bull;(605) 277-8094
<ul data-start="180" data-end="440">
<li data-section-id="86dxpr" data-start="180" data-end="229">Address: 25965 477th Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104</li>
<li data-section-id="iqwg1y" data-start="230" data-end="253">Phone: (605) 277-8094</li>
<li data-section-id="7n5w5n" data-start="254" data-end="309">Operated by the <a href="https://vetaffairs.sd.gov?utm_source=chatgpt.com">South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs</a></li>
<li data-section-id="t6nwax" data-start="310" data-end="440">Opened in 2021 as South Dakota&rsquo;s first federally funded, state-operated veterans cemetery.</li>
</ul>
The cemetery offers:
<ul data-start="463" data-end="580">
<li data-section-id="n8l78x" data-start="463" data-end="479">Casket burials</li>
<li data-section-id="yl552r" data-start="480" data-end="502">Cremation gravesites</li>
<li data-section-id="69tqqy" data-start="503" data-end="523">Columbarium niches</li>
<li data-section-id="fyhktx" data-start="524" data-end="543">Scattering garden</li>
<li data-section-id="9la15c" data-start="544" data-end="580">Military honors and perpetual care</li>
</ul>
Eligible veterans are buried at no cost. Eligible spouses and dependents may also qualify for burial services with a fee.
Official cemetery information: <a href="https://vetaffairs.sd.gov/veteranscemetery/default.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com">South Dakota Veterans Cemetery Information</a>
You can also pre-apply for eligibility through the state VA website before burial arrangements are needed.
Memorial Day events in Sioux Falls
Memorial Day Ceremony at USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial (605) 367-7141
<ul data-start="292" data-end="518">
<li data-section-id="1w23zvw" data-start="292" data-end="314">Monday, May 25, 2026</li>
<li data-section-id="10nugd0" data-start="315" data-end="347">Ceremony begins around 9:00 AM</li>
<li data-section-id="lc9q49" data-start="348" data-end="444">Features a large American flag display outlining the historic battleship along the riverfront.</li>
<li data-section-id="7yqfjz" data-start="445" data-end="518">Free admission and museum access.</li>
</ul>
Memorial Day Program at South Dakota Veterans Cemetery (605) 277-8094
<ul data-start="627" data-end="828">
<li data-section-id="1w23zvw" data-start="627" data-end="649">Monday, May 25, 2026</li>
<li data-section-id="1qape8i" data-start="650" data-end="722">Official veterans remembrance program honoring fallen service members.</li>
<li data-section-id="1kdqsx9" data-start="723" data-end="828">One of the largest formal Memorial Day observances in the region.</li>
</ul>
Downtown &amp; Community Events
You&rsquo;ll also find:
<ul data-start="880" data-end="1083">
<li data-section-id="10lgai5" data-start="880" data-end="938">Patriotic craft activities and family events around town</li>
<li data-section-id="sd7dxr" data-start="939" data-end="980">Farmers markets and live music downtown</li>
<li data-section-id="1x8kg8p" data-start="981" data-end="1083">Museums and memorial sites hosting special holiday programming</li>
</ul>
A few places people often visit during Memorial Day weekend:
<ul data-start="1146" data-end="1269">
<li data-section-id="4w1vzp" data-start="1146" data-end="1185">Washington Pavilion</li>
<li data-section-id="yuzy45" data-start="1186" data-end="1227">Hills of Rest Cemetery Wildwood Chapel &amp; Mausoleum</li>
<li data-section-id="1flqygl" data-start="1228" data-end="1269">USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial</li>
</ul>
Traffic note: road work on South Minnesota Avenue may cause delays over the holiday weekend.
You can also browse updated local calendars here:
<ul data-start="1455" data-end="1538">
<li data-section-id="18npx85" data-start="1455" data-end="1496"><a href="https://www.experiencesiouxfalls.com/events?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Experience Sioux Falls Events Calendar</a></li>
<li data-section-id="1nw41v9" data-start="1497" data-end="1538"><a href="https://siouxfalls.com/entertainment/festivals-events/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" aria-describedby="radix-_r_30_">Sioux Falls Festivals &amp; Events</a></li>
</ul>

Memorial Day and the SD State Veteran's Cemetery in Sioux Falls

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Tanner Hoops, the voice of the Sioux Falls Canaries about the home opener this Monday, May 18, at the Birdcage.




From AI:

Sioux Falls Canaries broadcaster Tanner Hoops is the longtime “Voice of the Canaries” and Director of Broadcast/Media Relations for the team. He returned for the 2026 season, marking his fifth year calling games for the club.

Some highlights about Tanner Hoops and the Canaries:
Won American Association Broadcaster of the Year in 2025.
Calls Canaries games on radio/webcast and also works with the University of Minnesota Gopher Radio Network and BTN+.
Frequently appears in Dakota News Now game recaps and local baseball coverage.

The Sioux Falls Canaries Baseball are Sioux Falls’ professional independent baseball team, playing in the American Association of Professional Baseball. They play home games at Sioux Falls Stadium — often called “The Birdcage.”

A few quick facts:
Founded in 1993
League: American Association
Home field: Sioux Falls Stadium
Team website: Sioux Falls Canaries Official Site
Tickets: Canaries Tickets

The 2026 season is underway, with home games beginning May 18 against the Lake Country DockHounds.

Popular local draws include:
Friday fireworks nights
Family promotions
Affordable summer baseball atmosphere
Group outings and themed events

Upcoming 2026 games include series against:
Lincoln Saltdogs
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
Chicago Dogs
Kane County Cougars

Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Tanner Hoops, the voice of the Sioux Falls Canaries about the home opener this Monday, May 18, at the Birdcage. 
From AI:
Sioux Falls Canaries broadcaster Tanner Hoops is the longtime &ldquo;Voice of the Canaries&rdquo; and Director of Broadcast/Media Relations for the team. He returned for the 2026 season, marking his fifth year calling games for the club.
Some highlights about Tanner Hoops and the Canaries:
<ul data-start="361" data-end="846">
<li data-section-id="123j6lb" data-start="361" data-end="458">Won American Association Broadcaster of the Year in 2025.</li>
<li data-section-id="931m6z" data-start="459" data-end="615">Calls Canaries games on radio/webcast and also works with the University of Minnesota Gopher Radio Network and BTN+.</li>
<li data-section-id="1m97rfw" data-start="616" data-end="734">Frequently appears in Dakota News Now game recaps and local baseball coverage.</li>
</ul>
The Sioux Falls Canaries Baseball are Sioux Falls&rsquo; professional independent baseball team, playing in the American Association of Professional Baseball. They play home games at Sioux Falls Stadium &mdash; often called &ldquo;The Birdcage.&rdquo;
A few quick facts:
<ul data-start="316" data-end="602">
<li data-section-id="1159e4a" data-start="316" data-end="333">Founded in 1993</li>
<li data-section-id="148rzm2" data-start="334" data-end="364">League: American Association</li>
<li data-section-id="1ft31wi" data-start="365" data-end="416">Home field: Sioux Falls Stadium</li>
<li data-section-id="14i6o00" data-start="417" data-end="516">Team website: <a href="https://sfcanaries.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-start="433" data-end="516">Sioux Falls Canaries Official Site</a></li>
<li data-section-id="noj3w7" data-start="517" data-end="602">Tickets: <a href="https://sfcanaries.com/tickets/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-start="528" data-end="602">Canaries Tickets</a></li>
</ul>
The 2026 season is underway, with home games beginning May 18 against the Lake Country DockHounds.
Popular local draws include:
<ul data-start="771" data-end="890">
<li data-section-id="8b0pf0" data-start="771" data-end="796">Friday fireworks nights</li>
<li data-section-id="1t5i14u" data-start="797" data-end="816">Family promotions</li>
<li data-section-id="19yf1g3" data-start="817" data-end="856">Affordable summer baseball atmosphere</li>
<li data-section-id="1nddkjv" data-start="857" data-end="890">Group outings and themed events</li>
</ul>
Upcoming 2026 games include series against:
<ul data-start="936" data-end="1055">
<li data-section-id="xqxwuw" data-start="936" data-end="954">Lincoln Saltdogs</li>
<li data-section-id="109qd6" data-start="955" data-end="980">Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks</li>
<li data-section-id="1xibx5r" data-start="981" data-end="995">Chicago Dogs</li>
<li data-section-id="66fwpc" data-start="996" data-end="1055">Kane County Cougars</li>
</ul>

FORUM WEEK 2,037: United States Submarine Veterans (South Dakota)

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