shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com December 26, 2017 • Page 3 A New Era By Rep. Kristi Noem It’s hard to believe we’re already at the end of 2017. January started with the inauguration of President Trump, ushering in a new era focused on making America great again. In the year that was to follow, the U.S. House of Representatives passed more than 460 bills – far surpassing recent averages. More than 90 of them have made it through the Senate and earned President Trump’s signature to become law. Among these were a series of bills that repealed costly Obama-era regulations. One empowered states to defund Planned Parenthood. Another strengthened Second Amendment protections for those with disabilities. Yet another expanded whistleblower protections within the Department of Veterans Affairs. In October, the President signed a bill I wrote, which would increase and strengthen women’s participation in peace negotiations and conflict prevention. When America’s security depends on the success of peace negotiations, we must make sure every proven conflict prevention tactic is on the table. This will help us do that. In addition to what’s already reached President Trump’s desk, the House has passed a series of bills to crack down on sanctuary cities and illegal immigration as well as legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare. A bill to improve rural call quality was approved, as was legislation that, if enacted, would ensure those permitted to carry a concealed handgun would be able to bring it to other states that permit concealed carry. The House-passed Working Families Flexibility Act would allow employers to give workers more flexibility in choosing between overtime pay and additional time off – a choice that’s difficult to offer under existing labor laws. The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act that we passed would ban abortion after 20 weeks. And the bipartisan Resilient Federal Forests Act would pair a responsible budget fix with forest management reforms to dramatically improve the health and resiliency of our forests. We also passed the CUFF Act, which I introduced, that would make sure wanted felons and parole violators would no longer have access to certain Social Security benefits. Another bill I introduced that would expand the Black Hills National Cemetery outside Sturgis also passed the House. I’m hopeful the Senate will take up and pass these bills in the New Year. Tax reform has also steadily advanced throughout this time, as we’ve remained committed to providing families with relief in the New Year. But more work remains – particularly when it comes to the Farm Bill. This last summer, I joined the House Agriculture Committee in a field hearing to discuss the modifications that will be needed. We received a lot of good feedback. Additionally, I’ve introduced a series of reforms I’d like to see included, such as legislation to improve the wetland determinations process, better ensure fair CRP rental payments, and expand sodsaver provisions nationwide. I’ve also put forward a bill to permanently allow the hay harvested on certain CRP acres to be donated to ranchers suffering from drought or fire. In addition, I am pushing legislation that would prohibit the IRS from rehiring an employee who has been fired for certain forms of misconduct (yes, it’s ridiculous we have to pass legislation to do this). Reforms to the Indian Health Service as well as legislation to crack down on sex trafficking and the websites that often facilitate it are also top priorities. Without question, the last 12 months have made for quite a year, but with the momentum in our direction, I’m excited for what 2018 will bring. MV Shopper CLASSIFIEDS Mckennett WWI Letters/Photos Donated To State Historical Society M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y Christmas Past, Present, and Future By Larry Zimmerman, Secretary S.D. Dept. of Veterans Affairs As the holiday season approaches, let us not forget we have thousands of U.S. service members that are still in harm’s way and deployed away from friends and family. While we often feel we have enough on our hands just taking care of ourselves; reaching out and helping someone else can really change a person’s perspective. I encourage all of you to send a card, a handwritten note, or a care package to someone that is deployed. In addition, invite military families to partake in your holiday activities, and ask if you can assist them in preparing for the holidays. Many military families find themselves having to redefine the word "family" as their loved ones are often stationed far from home. Military children cope with so much: new schools, changing neighborhoods, friends who move, and deployed parents. A holiday full of laughter, shared and newly created memories would be a precious gift. Charles Dickens said, “I will live in the past, the present, and the future. The spirits of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!” It doesn’t matter if you are reflecting on Christmas past, present, or future; the one commonality is traditions. It’s the magic and the love that we’ll always remember. While I wouldn’t trade Christmas at home with my family and friends, I will forever fondly recall my Christmas spent overseas. Sharing the holidays with my military family, gorging myself on food, improvised holiday decorations, and unique holiday shenanigans. You learn to make the most of deployments – you remember that you signed the contract to protect those around you and you realize very quickly that it’s worth it to have to miss out on some holidays. Spending the holidays apart is hard, but sharing traditions whenever possible can create special memories for everyone. We wish you and your family a blessed holiday season and a new year of peace and happiness. As you and your family gather this holiday season, please keep our heroes (past, present, and future) in your hearts. God bless our veterans, their families, and our troops that are currently serving in harm’s way. Check out our Winter Essentials IN PRINT & ONLINE To place your ad call... 605.665.5884 boston shoes to boots footwear experts since 1915 Wishing you and your family a joyful, bright, healthy, prosperous and happiest new year ahead! Located in the Meridian District 312 W 3rd Street | Yankton, SD | 605.665.9092 Winter is Here! PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota State Historical Society recently processed a collection of World War I-era photographs and letters written by Webster, S.D., native Pvt. Herbert McKennett. The correspondence of more than 30 letters dates mainly from 1916 and 1917. McKennett was born July 25, 1894, to Thomas and Dora McKennett of Webster. He attended public school in Webster and later moved to Canada to take a homestead. Tony & Donna At the onset of World War I in Europe, McKennett enlisted in the Canadian Army. As a private he was a member of the Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) 27th Battalion. The collection includes an 11x15-inch photo of H&S 14 Wheel Rake CIH 9150 - 4WD - Duals McKennett’s Canadian battalion which went by the name treasures MX200 MFD - 170HP CIH & Pawn 605-665-3720 •Yankton, SD M&W 14 Wheel Rake “Canadian Black Devils.” 301 E. 3rd Street, Yankton, SD CIH 8940 Claas 880 Rotary Rake While in France, Pvt. 665-3588 MFD - 210HP McKennett sent the followVermeer R23 Rake CIH 7110 and 7120 2WD ing letter to his family on Hesston 4760 - 3x3 Ford/Versitile 876 - 4WD Jan. 22, 1917: “Just a few Challenger LB34 - 3x4 CIH MXM 120 - 95HP MFD lines to let you know that Auto I am feeling fine and hope CIH 8575 3x3 Baler CIH MXU 125 MFD - 105HP Home you all are the same at N. Holland BB940 - 3x3 CIH MX 120 MFD/LDR Commercial home … It has been freezJ. Deere 7320 - IVT - MFD N. Holland 660 Round ing most of the time and CIH 8480 RD Soft CTR there is about six inches Local, trusted COMBINES of snow on the ground but From all of us. Thanks for your business. service you can CIH Furniture, Mattresses, RBX 562 and 563 We look forward to CIH 2388-2003-1300HR the snow sure has the rain serving you in 2018! count on! CIH SC100 - 16’ Pull W/R beat by a long ways … I got Grills, Wall Hangings, Holland 1475 - 16’ W/R OUR DISPLAY * CIH 2588-2008-900HR * SEE N. a letter from Harry and he Floor Coverings, etc.N. Holland 1431 Disc W/R CIH 2377-2005-1700HR was saying he was getting NEXT WEEK! December 2nd & 3rd, 9th & 10th, 16th & 17th • 1-3:00PM to spend Christmas home. JD 9550-AWD-1500HR January 3, 4, 5 McDon 5000 - 16Ft W/R 1915 Broadway Bring Well I spent Christmas Eve Your Cameras! SMIDT FURNITURE & APPLIANCE USD Dakota Dome JD 9410-1998-1700HR Yankton, SD Hesston 9260 SP Disc W/R and Christmas night on a Vermillion 605-925-4904 Freeman, CIH WDX 1902 SP Disc W/R SD 605-665-9841 Several CIH 1660 - $19,500 machine gun post between our front lines and Fritz CIH 1640 - CDC - Chopper [German soldiers] and I don’t believe that I am very likely to forget that Christmas night for some time •Busch & Busch Light 30 pks ........... $14.99 to come … with love to all •Old Milwaukee & Light 30 pks ........$14.99 Herb McKennett.” PRE-SELL & END - OF - YEAR •Miller High Life & Light 30 pks ........$13.99 The donation, from DISCOUNTS ON ALL EQUIPMENT! family members, includes 109 W. 3rd St. • 605-665-7865 * Yankton Meridian District * www.yanktonrexall.com the telegram sent to Dora McKennett informing her of her son’s death. Pvt. We’ll meet or beat all Fit Most Makes McKennett was killed Aug. 21, 1917, and was buried in advertised prices the Loos British Cemetery in France. Included are photographs of McKennett’s tombstone in the • “LOCK IN” SUPER FINANCING ON NEW AND USED EQUIPMENT - Sections Loos Cemetery. Guards - Sickles • LO-RATE FINANCING & WAIVERS • IH • Hesston The donation also • Case IH • SUPER LO-RATE LEASE PLANS! features transcripts of • Hew Holland • McDon • GREAT PRICES ON LEASE RETURN AND GOVERMENT DOT McKennett’s letters. The TRACTORS NOW! ALL SIZES – Round Baler – digital transcription files were saved and preserved 16000 Sisal.....................$32.95 SAVE TIME! SAVE $$$ through the South Dakota 20000 Plastic..................$21.95 9ft. Balanced Head PRE-SEASON INSPECTION PROGRAM State Historical Society-ArBiodegradable - 20K. . . . . .$22.95 Mower Sickles $79.95 TRACTORS chives Digital Preservation 67” x 7000 Net Wrap.........$220 program. 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