SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Sioux Falls veteran and military-related groups are joining together to purchase a building where they can all be housed.
The site of a former pawnshop, concert venue, gun store, and gun range on Russell Street, the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance, Inc. says that the group obtained private donations to pay for most of the cost.
The Alliance says the various organizations will keep their identities.
They hope to open the facility in early 2020.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion led the project.
Below is a news release from the South Dakota Military Alliance, Inc.
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SIOUX FALLS – A new veteran, military and civilian non-profit corporation has purchased the former Badlands Pawn building on West Russell Street. Officials from the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance, Inc., a 501(c)3 corporation, say the building will bring multiple veteran and military-themed organizations under one roof, led by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. It will also provide a state-of-the-art location for entertainment, events and meetings, as well as an eventual military museum.
“The Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting veterans, military servicemembers and their families, all while integrating the civilian community into the process. Anyone with a love of country is welcome and encouraged to support and participate in this unprecedented endeavor,” states Ken Teunissen, the Vice-Chair of the Alliance.
Teunissen describes the Alliance initiative as the most innovative in the nation, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support military and veteran organizations and causes. He added that much of the building’s cost was paid through private donations, but that fundraising is underway to pay the balance and ensure the building is ready to open in early 2020.
“We are extremely excited to provide this type of opportunity,” Teunissen said. “I’m not aware of any facility in the nation that brings together multiple veteran and military organizations, celebrates and preserves their individual identities, yet also joins forces for other causes such as helping homeless veterans and ensuring honor guards for military and veteran funerals.”
Teunissen noted that the honor guard issue is particularly important considering the pending arrival of South Dakota’s first Veterans Cemetery. “The Alliance will be unlike anything in the nation, but also exactly what our veterans, military members and their families deserve. It will demonstrate how our community and State lead the way in taking care of those who protect us.”
Teunissen said the building purchase is the first of many steps needed to open the doors. If all goes as planned, the building would be fully-operational in the spring of 2020.
