September 26, 2017 • Page 12 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Strengthening Our Armed Forces By Sen. Mike Rounds with deterrence having failed, defeat them in combat. At a time of increased global uncertainty and unrest, it is critical that our men and women in uniform are in the best position possible to defend our great nation. To better support our troops, this year’s NDAA authorizes a 2.1 percent across-the-board pay raise for members of the armed forces. Since our military is made up completely of volunteers, we are hopeful that this will incentivize our service members to remain in our armed forces. It will make sure our troops and their families – who sacrifice so much to keep us safe - are adequately compensated for their service. I was pleased that this year’s NDAA contains 13 provisions I offered, including a bill to help the families of wounded warriors. Unfortunately, in many cases, wounded warriors require around-the-clock care long after their service to our country. It oftentimes falls on family members to act as caregivers. My measure that As it has for the past 56 years, the Senate again passed bipartisan legislation to provide for the defense of our nation. The National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, is one of the most important pieces of legislation to pass out of Congress each year, as it provides our armed forces with the tools to successfully complete their missions and keep us safe. This year’s NDAA includes provisions that will rebuild our military, at a time when it is the smallest it has been since World War II. This year’s NDAA takes important steps to reinvest in our military capabilities and allows us to appropriately address the readiness shortfalls we’re facing. Earlier this year, Defense Secretary James Mattis said that he was “shocked” by the decline in U.S. military readiness. The size of our armed forces has shrunk to levels that raise our risk of not being able to deter adversaries or, was included in the NDAA would require that the Department of Veterans Affairs caregiver program be added to the list of statutorily-mandated counseling items for military members transitioning into civilian life. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I’m proud of Congress’s bipartisan tradition of passing the NDAA each year. We put the defense of our nation, our troops and their families before the politics of the day. I’m hopeful that we can do that more often in the weeks and months to come as we try to tackle other important issues, like tax reform and addressing our national debt. It’s clear that national defense remains a top priority for Congress, and this year’s NDAA shows our troops that they have our full support. I’m honored to serve on the Senate Armed Services Committee and to play a role in making life better for the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America. Treasure Awaits! Shop Classifieds 319 Walnut St. • Yankton, SD 57078 605-665-5884 www.missourivalleyshopper.com ********************************************* Yankton Lions Club Yankton Lions Club: Chartered in 1960. Lions Club International was started in 1917 by Chicago businessman, Melvin Jones. This year the Lions are celebrating 100 years of service. Yankton Lion, Neil Bowes, was installed as District Governor of East District of South Dakota and will serve until July of 2018. It is a great honor to have a Lion chosen to be in this position. Other former members of our club that have had honors are PDG Freeman French (deceased), PDG Katherine French (recently moved to Texas) and Lion Carol Becker was admitted to the South Dakota Hall of Fame. We are a small club but serve with a large contribution to the Community of Yankton as well as Lions International. We meet every 1st and 3rd Monday at JoDeans and we have many different interesting programs at the last of each month. Those programs include: Diabetic updates, Yankton school news, Chamber activities, CASA, Little Friend Big Friend, updates on Community projects, etc. The flag contract program is one of our fund raising events. We sell contracts to local businesses, we then provide a holder, flag and put up the flag on 10 special dates. Proceeds from this program are used to support the Eyeglass purchases and provide help with hearing aids for the less fortunate in our community. The Law Enforcement Recognition and Award Night are held each year when we honor an officer from each of the five agencies: Highway Patrol, Yankton Police, Federal Prison, State Prison and Sheriff Departments. Proceeds from the event are divided amongst local charities. Those receiving donations this year were: CASA, Domestic Violence Center, Pathways Shelter (Homeless shelter), Child Protection Team, Contact Center and DARE. Other local donations: Serving the Banquet, provide meals once a month for Habitat workers; Diaper Shower for the Contact Center, Christmas greetings to all residents in the Care Centers, local Christmas Store, Science Olympiad, Scholarships, Sack Pack, and school playground equipment. Yankton Lions support a Peace Poster contest yearly for Middle School students. The winner receives a cash prize and then is entered in the district, state and national competition. Last year our local winner became the South Dakota Lions winner. We collect used eyeglasses at three locations in Yankton. We have collected over 2,400 pairs a year. They will be taken to our Foundation in Sioux Falls, where they will be sorted and graded to be used in 3rd world countries. One of the local donation boxes is located by the north door of HyVee. Thank you to all that have contributed to this recycling program. We hope by promoting this project everyone will be able to see. South Dakota Lions have and continue to support the Lions Eye and Tissue Bank in Sioux Falls. A very interesting tour is given by appointment. South Dakota Lions Foundation and the Lions Club International Foundation are also on our donation list. International is giving large grants at this time to hurricane victims. Leader Dog is a foundation for the sight impaired and is sponsored by the Lions. A dog is provided without cost for anyone that qualifies for this assistance. Any Lions Club locations in the state can help with arrangements for this service. Our Lions Club always has a float in the Riverboat Days Parade, we love to roar our presence and let folks see us. Membership is open to anyone who is interested in serving our community while having a good time. Our motto is WE SERVE. Interested in INTERESTED IN THIS SPOT? this spot? certified public accountants Harry Lane, Electrical Contractor • Commercial • Residential • Farm Wiring • Prompt Service • Quality Work • Competitive Prices New Construction or Remodeling • Home 665-6612 Call 665-5884 to place your ad here. For Flooring with a Professional Touch Yankton Office 207 Douglas Avenue • PO to Call Yankton, SD 57078Box 1018 665-5884 605-665-4401 • Fax: 605-665-0592 place your ad here. 208 Walnut Street, Historic Downtown Yankton 605-665-2067 1000 Cattle Drive • Yankton, SD We l c o m e t o Ya n k t o n ! 1-800-759-5275 1000 Cattle Dr., Yankton, SD Fax: 605-665-8908 665-1665 Interested in this spot? Salute Our Guardians with the...665-5884 to Call place your ad here. 2200 E. HWY. 50 YANKTON, SD 57078 www.missourivalleyshopper.com Yankton, SD • 605-665-3762 Freeman, SD • 605-925-4241 Wagner, SD • 605-384-4580 DAKOTA ArcHErY & OuTDOOr SpOrTS T rusTed F or G eneraTions 2901 Douglas Yankton, SD 57078-4841 DIRECTORS: 605-665-3644 Jim Wintz • Jerry Wintz Fax 605-665-3646 • Paul Wintz • Steve Wintz www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com 1-800-765-6213 605-665-3762 800-952-2424 605-665-8340 www.missourivalleyshopper.com 2305 E. Hwy. 50 • Yankton 2507 Fox Run Parkway Yankton, SD 57078 • (605) 665-8073 www.firstchiropracticcenter.com Open every night ‘till 9:00 p.m. www.missourivalleyshopper.com M.T. & R.C. Smith Insurance, Inc. 204 West 4th • PO Box 1077 Yankton, SD • 605-665-3611 Toll Free: 1-888-665-3611 www.missourivalleyshopper.com Fax: 605-665-2560 Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopper.com 2100 BROADWAY • YANKTON, SD 605-665-3412 PHARMACY: 665-8261 • FLORAL: 665-0662 Visit our Web site at www.missourivalleyshopper.com