STURGIS, SD — Hundreds of veterans and family members descended on the Sturgis Community Center on Saturday for the Northern Hills Veterans Appreciation Fair, “We’ve Got Your Six”. It was a day of information gathering, camaraderie, and attendees even enjoyed a delicious free lunch, catered by Lori Jeffery Kirk.
More than 40 veterans organizations, support groups and Department of Veterans Affairs personnel were on hand to provide information on benefits and creative programs available for veterans and their families.
Julie Malcom is the committee chairperson for the Veterans Appreciation Fair, now in its sixth year, and holding it in the Key City is convenient for all veterans.
“Sturgis seems to be the focal point, with Fort Meade down the road,” Malcom said. “(The Sturgis Community Center) is phenomenal for us but we’re getting a little nervous because we seem to be bursting at the seams. People keep saying ‘what are you going to do if it keeps getting bigger’? Well, this is the place, this is the hub, this is city of veterans, it just makes sense.”
Steve Silvernagel of Spearfish attended the Veterans Appreciation Fair to check out new benefits and to reconnect with old friends.
“There’s so many programs around and then you get information from everybody,” Silvernagel said. “And then you get to see some of your buddies from way back when!”
Malcom added that the camaraderie between veterans is nice to see.
“It’s just so heartwarming, every time to see the veterans and how much it means to them to be able to sit and yuk it up with each other and have a good time,” Malcom said.
Malcom said nine new veterans organizations signed on to provide information and services this year, and that “We’ve Got Your Six” will be back in 2026.