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BANNER YEAR STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANDY GREENMAN
In the City of Presidents, one man is seeking to commend veterans through public art projects. U.S. Air Force veteran Bill Casper is committed to raise awareness and report stories of our military heroes. While most communities across the country show their appreciation for those who served with statues, murals and dedicated parks, Rapid City falls short. Casper said the only year-round tribute is a granite block at Rushmore Plaza, and “we need something bigger than that five-sided block.� Each face of the block are dedicated to a war with a brief recap and the years fought. Casper appreciates the tribute but recognizes more can be done. Casper remembers a memorial which once stood in Halley Park that honored 3,000 veterans in the area. The wood frames deteriorated to the point where it was torn down. The metal plaques that listed the veterans vanished, but thankfully Casper has a record of all that were honored. elevaterapidcity.com
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