Larry Pressler: “today I join my fellow Americans and millions of freedom-loving people around the world in celebrating the 50th…”

“today I join my fellow Americans and millions of freedom-loving people around the world in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. I am enormously proud of the South Dakotans who answered their Nation's call to free Europe from Nazi terror. The 34th Infantry Division--the first American division to serve in the European theater--included three South Dakota National Guard units: the 109th Engineer Battalion, the 109th Quartermaster Regiment, and the 132d Engineer Regiment. South Dakotans were with Eisenhower, Patton, and Bradley when they invaded North Africa in 1942 and Italy in 1943. More than 2,200 South Dakota National Guardsmen served on active duty. More than 41,000 South Dakotans between the ages of 21 and 36 were called into military service through the draft and 23,192 South Dakotans enlisted. Hundreds more served as State guardsmen to respond to civil and military emergencies at home. South Dakota was a temporary home to many of our brave soldiers in training.”