SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Earlier this week, Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken issued a proclamation stating that this Saturday is “Sioux Falls Batman Day”. The proclamation is meant to honor the Sioux Falls Batman, also known as Terry Mattke, for his numerous contributions to the Sanford Children’s Miracle Network.
Mattke, a 22 year military veteran, said he developed an interest for helping disadvantaged children when visiting and reading at children’s hospitals while on active duty. As an avid WWE fan, Mattke says he also was inspired by WWE wrestlers who not only visit soldiers and sailors in hospitals, but work with children’s hospitals and other organizations such as Make-a-Wish. Once Mattke left the military, he was left asking himself, “How do I get to continue to do that?”. Shortly after retiring, an opportunity presented itself, and Mattke says he “was at the right place, at the right time”.
Four years ago, at an event with local first responders where two Polaris Slingshot’s were put on display, is where Mattke had his epiphany. In front of him was the perfect “Batmobile”. With the return of comic book characters into pop culture, Mattke says his longtime Batman fanaticism gave him the idea to restart his work for children’s hospitals, but this time in a different uniform.
Mattke says he has received a large amount of attention while driving around in the customized Batmobile, especially in his early days of dressing up. He enjoyed the mistique of his identity being mostly unknown, and said that even Mayor TenHaken thought he was a “drifter”. The first event Mattke attended as Batman was the Radio-Thon event held at the Sanford Children’s Hostpital. After being photographed at the event, his popularity soared. Sioux Falls had chosen its superhero.
TenHaken has since unmasked Mattke and all his accomplishments by recognizing him with a superhero celebration at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance tomorrow. Beginning at 9 am, World War 2, Vietnam, and modern day weapons and tactical military vehicles will be on display with Mattke and his team of superheros and villains walking around the event. Starting at 5 pm tomorrow, a silent auction will be held with numerous items donated by local businesses and community members, with all the proceeds going to the Sandford Children’s Miracle Network.
Mattke appeared this morning on The Greg Belfrage Show. To hear the full interview, check out Greg’s show right here on KELO.com.
Comments