South Dakota State Fair Salutes Veterans
SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Aug. 16, 2012
Media Contact: Candi Hettinger, (605) 353-7340
South Dakota State Fair Salutes Veterans
HURON, S.D. – The South Dakota State Fair salutes our veterans and active military personnel and will show appreciation for their service with free gate admission for them on Thursday, Aug. 30.
“Join us to salute those who’ve served our country in the armed forces, as well as those who wear the uniform and defend our country today. The South Dakota State Fair invites all veterans and military personnel to take advantage of free admission into the Fair for this special event,” said Jerome Hertel, South Dakota State Fair Manager.
A Salute to Veterans program will be held on Aug. 30 at 10:30 a.m. CDT on the Northwestern Energy Freedom Stage. South Dakota Department of Revenue Secretary Andy Gerlach will be the keynote speaker.
Gerlach was appointed revenue secretary in December of 2010 and officially assumed the role in May 2011. Previously, he served with the South Dakota Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs, first as finance officer and later as deputy secretary. Gerlach started his service to the state in 1993 as a budget analyst with the Bureau of Finance and Management.
Gerlach has served on many boards and committees, including the South Dakota War Memorials Dedication Committee, the Pierre/Fort Pierre State Government United Way Advisory Board, South Dakota National Guard Museum Board of Director, and Lutheran Memorial Church of Pierre Board of Trustees. Other affiliations include the Federation of Tax Administrators, American Legion and National Guard Officers Association at the state and national level.
A native of Armour, Gerlach earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Northern State University. He continued his education and earned his Masters of Business Administration from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Gerlach has been a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard for the past 25 years, holding numerous key leadership positions. He currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. From June 2010 until April 2011, he served as executive officer of the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The 2012 South Dakota State Fair will run from Thursday, Aug. 30, through Monday, Sept. 3. Channel Seeds Preview night will be Wednesday, Aug. 29. The theme for the 2012 State Fair is “Taste the Fun!” For more information on State Fair events, contact the Fair office at 800-529-0900, visit www.sdstatefair.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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