SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -  Sioux Falls City Health officials continue measuring how many people checked their blood pressure during last month’s “Big Squeeze” campaign. 

     Health Community Specialist Mary Michaels says the goal was to screen 75-hundred residents, a fifty percent increase from the 2012 effort.

     Michaels says final figures aren’t known yet but it appears that the trend is higher.  She says the campaign is already approaching 6,000 people screened for blood pressure.  She says it shows that the awareness campaign is reaching a broader community

     Michaels says health officials believe one in three Sioux Falls residents has high blood pressure.

     She says high blood pressure is a silent killer so everyone should know his or her numbers

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) – Today, Outgoing Acting Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Steve Miller testifies before the House Ways and Means Committee on the targeting of conservative groups.  Senator John Thune (R), South Dakota is still keeping a watchful eye on the situation as the Senate member who initially asked for Miller’s resignation. 

“We started making inquiries into this a long time ago and what was clear to us; the IRS was misleading Congress in what they were doing,” said Thune.  “It was clear that any organization with the words like Tea Party, patriot, constitution in the title were getting a higher level scrutiny, overreaching questions and getting their applications slow-walked.  When we started looking into this, it was evident that the IRS was concealing this from the American public.”

Thune said there was anecdotal information out there about the IRS bullying conservative groups over a year ago.  There was a little reporting of this in the conservative media, so we sent three letters to the IRS starting in March of 2012, another one June and August.  We tried repeatedly to get answers from the IRS and they repeatedly stone-walled us.  We knew there was something out there and where there was smoke, there was fire.

“A big government abusing its power and is willing to threaten, intimidate and bully people who disagree with them and give information to friends to use against these people is what I call Chicago Style Politics," said Thune.  “There is a culture surrounding this that should be a great concern to people across this country.  There needs to be some accountability and people need to know they shouldn’t be threatened for speaking out about their political beliefs.”

Thune said, they were writing this off as low level employees in the IRS doing all of this.  If you look at the organizational chart at the IRS, you realize this involves a lot of people.  There needs to be a full investigation into this and figure out if there were any laws broken. 

“It appears there is a pattern in this administration and it appears to be a cultural thing that involves other agencies,” Said Thune.  We need to know if this is a President who doesn’t know what is going on around him or if it is willful, intentional and being directed.  The EPA took survey data from 80 – thousand farm and ranch families and gave it to left leaning environmental groups, and it was personal stuff like names, phone numbers, addresses and geographical coordinates of their farms to include 500 from South Dakota.”

“What concerns me most, this President has taken executive privilege and executive power to a whole new level,” said Thune.  “It’s time to draw a line in the sand and say this is where it needs to stop and there needs; in this case with the IRS to have some consequence.  If we continue to overlook or worse condone these tactics, you will just see more of them.”

Thune commented on the administration obtaining information from the Associated Press saying that they went about it in the same way.  There are ways to obtain this information, but again they used secrecy and skirting the laws.  This is another example of things piling up and these are the things we need to stop. 

“We need to get the American People to weigh in on this,” said Thune.  “When they do, it gets the attention of both parties." 

Senator John Thune was a guest on the Greg Belfrage show, 16 May 2013.

 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - As the school year draws to a close, the Sioux Falls police department is making changes to the school resource officer program next fall.

     Chief Doug Barthel says to help with the growing number of public and private schools officers will be assigned to one of four quadrants.

     Barthel says that will allow police to dedicate resources where they’re needed most.  He says officers will still be assigned to specific middle and high schools, they aren't walking away from that.  But he says rather than just one specific officer assigned to each school, now there's a team that can help out.

     Barthel says the “I Can” program will be taught by the schools next fall, re-assigning four officers to the resource program.

     It will bring the total school resource officer staff to fifteen.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - A police dog brought down a suspect in a drug sting set up by the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force Thursday night.

    Officer Sam Clemens says 26-year-old Aaron Allen Unzelman of Sioux Falls is charged with possession and distribution of methamphetamine and resisting arrest.

     Clemens says Unzelman started running when he saw officers approach and they released the dog.  He says the dog bit Unzelman in the leg, he punched the dog and the dog then bit him in the arm.  Clemens says the dog was able to bring the suspect down to the ground.

     Unzelman is also charged with intentional injury to a police dog.  Clemens says the dog was not injured.

     Unzelmanc earlier had failed to return the Minnehaha County Jail during a furlough.  The sting occured at Minnesota Avenue and Russell Street.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls police smelled marijuana coming from a South Carolyn Avenue motel room early yesterday morning after they had investigated a 9-1-1 hang-up call from a different room.

     Officer Sam Clemens says police knocked on the door and heard someone jump out of a window.  They went to the parking lot and saw the male suspect get into a car with another man driving.  The suspect left behind 45-hundred dollars cash, four pounds of marijuana, a handgun and his wallet.  

     Clemens says other officers found the vehicle they were looking for.  Once the car stopped, the passenger jumped out of the car and ran.  He was caught and Clemens says that's the same man who rented the motel room. 

     Clemens says officers found seven thousand dollars cash in the pockets of 20-year-old Justin Dean Urquhart of Sioux Falls.

     Urquhart is charged with felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

     The driver of the car, 21-year-old Zachary Lovaas was charged with possession marijuana and concealing a handgun in the glove box.

Atlanta, GA (KWSN) - Former South Dakota State pitcher Caleb Thielbar was called up by the Minnesota Twins on Monday and made his major league debut, striking out three Atlanta Braves in two shutout innings out of the bullpen. In making his debut, Thielbar became the first former Jackrabbit player to appear in a major league game.

Thielbar entered the game in the bottom of the seventh and allowed one hit before retiring the next three batters. He retired the side in order in the bottom of the eighth.

In four seasons (2006-09) at SDSU, Thielbar posted a 20-19 career record while setting the Jackrabbit career records with 274 innings pitched and 44 starts — both of which have been surpassed in 2013 by Stephen Bougher. He also ranks second in career strikeouts with 196 and shares the team single-season record with 100 strikeouts, which he set during his senior campaign.

A native of Randolph, Minn., Thielbar was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 18th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. He spent two seasons in the Brewers organization before signing with the Twins late in the 2011 campaign after a brief stint with the St. Paul Saints of the independent American Association.

 A left-hander, Thielbar earned a spot on Minnesota's 40-man roster following a strong 2012 season in the minor leagues. He began the season at Class A Fort Myers of the Florida State League before making 16 relief appearances at Double-A New Britain (Conn.). He then spent the final three months of the 2012 season at Triple-A Rochester (N.Y.), posting a 3-1 record with one save and a 3.57 earned run average in 25 appearances.

He joined Sports Talk with Craig and Chris Thursday and talked about playing in the big leagues.

So far in 2013, Thielbar made 17 appearances for Rochester, turning in a 1-1 record with one save and a 3.76 ERA. He struck out 34 batters and walked only eight in 26.1 innings.

Courtesy: South Dakota State University

The School Board is holding its Election to fill two vacancies when the terms of Kent Alberty and Julie A. Westra expire in July.  The School District's annual Election is today from 7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. 

School Board Candidates for this Election are:

Matt Leedom

Joshua James Schorzmann

Carly Reiter

Kent Alberty

The Election will be conducted at 13 Vote Centers located throughout the School District.  On Election Day, the voters may choose any one of the Vote Centers to cast their ballot.  Vote Centers will be open from 7:00 A.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the following locations:

Peace Lutheran Church, 5509 W. 41st Street 

Memorial Middle School, 1401 S. Sertoma Avenue (enter on south end of building--gym doors)

Maricar Community Center, 400 N. Valley View Road

Sioux Falls Arena, 1201 N. West Avenue

Oyate Community Center, 2421 W. 15th Street

Asbury United Methodist Church, 2425 S. Western Avenue 

First Lutheran Church, 327 S. Dakota Avenue

Wesley United Methodist Church, 1700 E. Sixth Street

Kenny Anderson Community Center, 3701 E. 3rd Street

Morningside Community Center, 2400 S. Bahnson Avenue

Instructional Planning Center, 201 E. 38th Street

Embrace Church, 2800 E. 57th Street

Faith Baptist Fellowship Hall, 607 W. 57th Street 

The public is invited to attend the Armed Forces Day program on Saturday, May 18, which is sponsored by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Military & Veterans Affairs Committee.

The event will begin with a musical prelude at 10 a.m., followed by the program at 10:30 a.m. on the grounds of the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System (2501 W. 22nd St.). The ceremonies will be moved to the South Dakota Air National Guard (1201 W. Algonquin St.) if inclement weather occurs.

The ceremony includes a formal military program, a Sioux Falls Municipal Band concert and a keynote address given by Brig. Gen. Matthew Jamison, the Assistant Adj. General of the South Dakota Air National Guard.

During the Avenue of Flags ceremony, men and women in the Armed Forces will present American flags in ceremony. The Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce will present “Stars and Stripes” awards to Roger and Lorie Hogstad and Beal Distributing for proudly displaying the American flag year-round. The Oath of Enlistment ceremony will also be conducted as South Dakota men and women are inducted into the U.S. Armed Forces. Outstanding Achievement Awards will be presented to selected guardsmen/women and reservists for outstanding military and community achievement.

For more information, contact Amy M. Farr at the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce at 373.2013.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) – Moore, Oklahoma serves as an example to remind people in the Midwest that they are susceptible to dangerous weather; especially tornados.  When people are injured and left homeless due to a major storm, the American Red Cross is ready to assist.

“There have been many storms recently and so many people are in need; people have been killed, injured and homes have been lost,” said Samantha (Sam) Hill, Regional Emergency Services Director, Sioux Empire American Red Cross.  “The American Red Cross in on scene helping with sheltering, food, clothing, medication and the things people need right away.  Peoples homes are now piles of sticks, their emotions are shredded and the Red Cross is there to help with all of that.”

Hill said that in Moore right now, the American Red Cross is on the ground with 27 emergency vehicles (ERVs) that look like and ambulance that we serve meals out of.  We have shelters set up with food water and first aid.  That’s what we do in every disaster and certainly what is happening on Moore.  First responders are on the ground right away, working with other agencies and making sure everyone’s needs are being taken care of.  We will stay there for a very long time to see everyone through this disaster.

“Preparedness is what gets everything into place for these disasters,” said Hill.  “We are 90-percent preparedness and 10-percent response because we spend all year getting ready for these things.  We have semi trucks full of food and contracts to get these things there.”

Hill said when the storm hit Sunday they had trucks in the area waiting just out of harm’s way; ready to go in.  We have equipment, supplies and volunteers pre-positioned all over the country.  So when these things happen, we have trained volunteers who can get in there right away and start providing humanitarian relief.

When it comes to sheltering, Hill said that in Sioux Falls alone, we have over 30 places located because some of them may be destroyed in the disaster.  We have agreements with churches, community centers and schools.  Our goal is to get people as close to the disaster as we can.  For example, you don’t want to shelter someone from Brandon in Mitchell and take them so far away from the disaster.

“The worse part of a disaster is not knowing whether your family is safe or them not knowing you are safe,” said Hill.  “We set up computers so people can register on the Safe and Well website.  We received calls on Monday night from people here who had family in Moore wanting to know if they were all right, so we directed them to the Safe and Well website.” 

We in Sioux Falls can help the people in Oklahoma in two ways,” said Hill.  “We run mostly on contributions and volunteers.  There are several ways to make contributions; ext the words Red Cross to 90999 and that will be a ten-dollar donation.  You can go to Red Cross on line, at the local chapter or call 1-800-Red-Cross.”

Hill said for people who want to donate clothing, pots, pans and utensils, it isn’t time yet.  The best donation to make at this time is financial.  For ten dollars, we can feed ten people. 

Sam Hill was interviewed by Jack Taylor, KELO News May 21, 2013

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls police will soon be getting closer to residents in the Pettigrew Heights Area.

     Lieutenant Galen Smidt says night shift officers will begin a new program called “Walk a Block With a Cop.”

     Smidt says officers will walk with neighbors in a two-block area giving them tips on crime prevention.  He says the officers will point out some things that they see on a nightly basis that they may want to make the residents aware of.  Maybe it's just home security, putting a night light out on their front porch.  Telling neighbors what officers see that might be worth calling 911 for

     Smidt says officers will hang flyers on homes in the block they intend to walk the following week.

     Between June and September two or three officers will walk with Pettigrew neighbors twice a week.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls police made a compliance check of 27 off-sale alcohol businesses yesterday and two clerks sold to the underage buyer.

     Officer Sam Clemens says the two Casey’s General Stores on South Sycamore both failed the check.

     Clemens says so far this year there have been three liquor compliance checks and four businesses sold to the underage buyer.  He says detectives will continue doing these compliance checks and every business is checked at least twice a year.  Clemens says while low numbers are good, hopefully, Sioux Falls off-sale stores can get to a string of 100% compliance.

     Clemens says clerks that sell to a minor are issued a citation that comes with a mandatory court appearance.

     The businesses may face fines, suspensions or loss of their license.

“When the county gives assistance, it can be in the form of attorney service through our Public Defenders Office, private court appointed attorneys or Human Services Assistance,” said Tim McFarland, Administrative Assistant to the Minnehaha County Commission.  “People may need assistance with hospital, dental, rent, food or transportation issues.  When the county provides assistance in a number of different ways by law, a lien is automatically created for the value of that service.”

McFarland said when a lean is created against a person; it is for property and property they may own in the future.  People need to know when they go to sell or buy property and they have a lien against them that lien won’t go away unless it is paid off or forgiven.

“Our revenue sources are extremely limited and extremely controlled by the state,” said McFarland.  “The county doesn’t receive one penny in sales tax revenue.  Our revenue is tied to property taxes and is tightly controlled with property tax limitations and we receive fees for services which are also tightly controlled by the state.” 

“It doesn’t relieve us of very expensive responsibilities in the form of law enforcement, criminal defense and welfare assistance” said McFarland.  “Those are all big dollar items and the county struggles to meet those obligations and that’s what we are in the business to do.” 

McFarland said the county is really good at making sweaters out of lint balls; meaning they are very good at stretching a dollar.  We have to do it, and we have become good at it.

“The one nice thing about a lien is, once it hits the books, it never goes up because of interest and always stays the same as the original amount,” said McFarland.  A person can pay what they can afford for as long as it may take.  There are people with liens on the thousands of dollars who pay five to ten dollars a month.” 

McFarland said that when someone wants to buy that first house, the first thing a title checks is for a lien against the buyer.  If there is a lien against the buyer it becomes an encumbrance and needs to be taken care of before closing.  People need to remember, liens never go away unless they are discharged or paid.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Senator Tim Johnson says the farm bill takes several steps to improve the integrity of programs, reduce the deficit and support millions of jobs.

     Johnson says while the Senate passed a farm bill last year the House did not and the process is starting over.  

     He says this bill includes the country of origin labeling.  He says recent surveys commissioned by the Consumder Federation of America confirms that an overwhelming majority of Americans want to know where their food comes from.  Johnson says he'll fight any attempts to derail the COOL amendment. 

     Johnson says the Senate has shown that it can pass bipartisan legislation to support rural communities.

     He hopes the House can now follow the Senate’s lead.

 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Police say two, twelve-year-old Sioux Falls boys are charged with reckless burning after melting playground equipment at Explorer Elementary School in Harrisburg.    

     Officer Sam Clemens says a witness saw smoke and flame coming from the playground and two boys running away.

     Clemens says the man followed the boys to a nearby home and he called police.  He says responding officers found the boys in a home on South Denton Avenue.  Police says the boys started a fire in a binder with papers inside and threw some wood chips in as well. 

     Clemens says the boys were taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

     Damage to the playground equipment is estimated at five hundred dollars.

Starting on Thursday, May 23, 2013, Blauvelt Avenue from Tenth Street to 12th Street and Highland Avenue from 12th Street to 14th Street will be closed to through traffic so construction crews can begin installation of a new water main. Parking on Blauvelt Avenue and Highland Avenue will also be restricted during work hours.

Blauvelt Avenue and Highland Avenue are expected to be opened by July 1, 2013.

The prime contractor for this project is First Rate Excavate, Inc. from Sioux Falls.

Beginning on Tuesday, May 28, 2013, Western Avenue from 57th Street to Interstate 229 will be closed. Construction crews will be installing underground utility upgrades, a 54 inch sanitary sewer crossing on Western Avenue, and additional turning lanes at the intersection of 57th Street and Western Avenue. This closure will last for approximately three weeks.

During the closure, Western Avenue traffic will be detoured on 57th Street, Minnesota Avenue, and Interstate 229. During construction, traffic will be maintained on 57th Street and Western Avenue south of 57th Street, but traffic delays are to be expected. Motorists are urged to use caution while traveling through the construction zone and may consider alternate routes.

The prime contractor for this project is D&G Concrete Construction, Inc. from Sioux Falls.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Underprivileged kids, ages fifteen and under, are going fishing with local law enforcement Saturday at Family Park in northwest Sioux Falls.

     Officer Kevin Henkel says twenty kids were picked by The Banquet to spend the afternoon fishing.

     Henkel says officers from Sioux Falls police; Game, Fish and Parks and the Highway Patrol will fish with the kids.  He says the goals are to get to know them, be a postive role model and introduce them to the outdoors.  He says the'll teach the kids some of the tips and tricks to fishing, much like the lessons they learned from their fathers.

     Henkel says Scheels donated tackle for the kids to keep and Dakota Angler donated bait.    

 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Sioux Falls police are holding a citywide saturation patrol tomorrow night heading into the Memorial Day weekend.

     Lieutenant Jerry Miller says 16 additional officers will be watching for the impaired driver between eight Friday night until four Saturday morning.

     Miller says the advance warning is so partiers can plan ahead.  If you're going to a party or be someplace where there will be drinking, stay where you're at or have a designated driver.  He advises taking a cab or renting a motel room but don't drink and drive.

     Miller say a daytime saturation patrol, targeting speeders and seat belt violators, will be held Saturday, June first between eight a-m and four p-m.

     He says the extra officers on saturation patrol are paid by a federal grant

•  Falls Park Farmers Market- Saturday @ Falls Park
  • Features fresh produce, flowers, meats and more at Falls Park.

• Augustana College Commencement Weekend- Friday & Saturday, Augustana College
  • Come and celebrate with this year's graduating class of 2013. Learn all the details at www.augie.edu/commencement.

• The Spill Canvas- Friday 7pm @ Orpheum Theater, Sioux Falls
  • All ages show

• Quilt Exhibit by Anna Johannsen- Fri to Sun @ Nobles County Art Center
  • A self-taught quilter, Johannsen is a quilt artist that creates her own designs on quilted wall hangings. Specific colors are used, knowing that when the quilt is viewed through 3-D glasses, a different effect is created. The latest series of quilts are Art Deco vintage poster reproductions, done mainly in sepia tones. For information, email noblearts@knology.net.

• Kid’s Fishing Derby- Saturday 10am @ Lake Poinsett Recreation Area
  • Kids ages 4-15, meet at the boat launch at 10 a.m. to register. Bring a pole. Bait is provided. Prizes for all participants. Park Entrance License required.

• 128^th Annual Antique Show and Flea Market- Sat to Mon 8am to 6pm @ Vick’s Corner, Spririt Lake, IA
  • Features antiques, collectibles and primitives, with dealers from several states. Concessions on premises. For information, call 712-336-5602

• Paws for a Cause Poker Run- Saturday 10am @ J & L Harley-Davidson, Sioux Falls
  • Fundraising event for the Sioux Empire Humane Society. All riders are invited to a blessing of the animals and bikes at the Humane Society at 10 a.m. Then head off to J&L Harley Davidson for registration from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. All motorcycle enthusiasts are welcome. Cost is $10 before May 25. Cost on May 25 is $15. Great contests & prizes.

• Bean Bag Tournament- Saturday 2pm @ Big Sioux Recreation Area
  • Bring your team for a day of bean bags. All levels of players welcome. There will be prizes for the top team. Park Entrance License required.

• Annual Vintage Racing Event- Saturday 6:30pm @ I-90 Speedway
  • Central Vintage Racing Association will be racing with the weekly racing program. Hot laps begin at 6:30 p.m., with racing to follow at 7 p.m. For information, call Debby Lund at 605-582-6580 or the track at 605-528-6380.

• Battle for Breast Cancer Fundraiser- Saturday 7pm @ The Vault
  • The Dueling Duo Pianos are coming to Sioux Falls to Battle for Breast Cancer. The public is welcome, tickets are $15 with all the profit going to Susan G. Komen South Dakota. The doors open at 6 p.m., the show will be from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance for first-come, first-serve seating; $110 table reservations for four, or $150 VIP table reservations for four with free champagne and an appetizer. Tickets available at http://goo.gl/Db8uu or at the door.

• Summer Ghost Walks in Pipestone- Saturday 8pm @ Pipestone County Museum
  • The Pipestone County Museum, in conjunction with Pipestone Civil War Days Committee, will be providing guided ghost tours through the downtown area with stories of the paranormal and the ghosts who inhabit local homes and businesses in Pipestone, Minnesota The tour lasts 1/2 hour and guides provide some history of the area, as well as ghostly tales. For information, or to reserve tickets, contact the Pipestone County Museum at pipctymu@iw.net or 507-825-2563.

• Service of Remembrance- Monday 1:30pm @ Sioux Falls VA
  • The service of remembrance will take place in the front foyer of the Sioux Falls VA at 1:30 PM on May 27, 2013. Questions, please feel free to contact the Chaplains Service at 605-336-3230, Ext. 6254

• New Movies
  • The Hangover Part III (R)-The Wolfpack - Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and  Zach Galifianakis – are back together, which means only one thing – complete mayhem.
  • Fast & Furious 6 (PG13)- Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson are back and behind the wheel for the sixth installment in the popular car chase franchise.
  • Epic (PG)- Colin Farrell, Amanda Seyfried and Josh Hutcherson provide the voices for this animated tale of an ongoing battle between the forces of good, who keep the natural world alive, and the forces of evil who want to destroy it.

Every year, the Rolling Thunder Chapters from South Dakota depart the Wednesday before Memorial Day for WashingtonD.C. for the Rolling Thunder Ride to the Wall.  Rolling Thunder adopted the name of a 1965 Vietnam bombing campaign because of the loud roar of motorcycles invading the Nations Capital.  Motorcycles four across stand at the ready line that wraps around the Pentagon one and a half times to make the ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Wall this Sunday, 26 May 2013.

“Our mission for both South Dakota Chapters, is that we want to publicize the POW/MIA issue that there were soldiers left behind from all wars,” said Elizabeth Wood, Rolling Thunder, Chapter 1, South Dakota.  “We want people to understand that there were people left behind from our past wars and we want them to come home.”

Wood said there are 54 members in South Dakota Chapter 1.  The chapter helps with Veterans issues in the area by going to the VA and putting on feeds for the Veterans and provide for the homeless veterans.  During Sturgis week, we have a Memorial Ceremony at the Black HillsNationalMemorialCemetery.

Dave Nordlund, also from South Dakota Chapter 1, was invited to make his first ride to the wall around the year 2000 by his now late friend Richard Johnson.  We rode to WashingtonD.C. where about 500-thousand to 800-thousand bikes participate in the demonstration ride. 

“It’s an audible voice for those who cannot speak and it’s emphasizing we will not forget,” Said Nordlund.  “It’s for those who can’t ride for themselves or speak for themselves.  The sound of the ride is overwhelming; that’s where the name Rolling Thunder comes in.”

“We have to remember those still over there that have been missing for 50-60 years,” said Wood.  Fortunately, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) goes over there and finds remains of those fallen soldiers and accounts for them.  Even after a long time, it gives a family closure to here about the fate of their loved one.”

Wood said people can help the effort by going to the JPAC website because they are looking for DNA samples, especially from the Korean War.  World War Two has better closure, and Vietnam still has over 1,600 unaccounted for. 

“Our riders left Wednesday morning from J & L Harley and we sent them off with doughnuts and coffee,” said Nordlund.  “Five bikes departed in the rain, and they will meet with other groups in Minnesota and ride to D.C.”

Nordlund said, not everyone who rides with us are members of Rolling Thunder.  You will see all kinds of bikes; two or three wheelers.  It is such a great event and we encourage people to come and participate.

Wood said that they are looking for people who want to help veterans to join.  We want to educate people on POW/MIA issues and bring those soldiers back.  Everyone is welcome to come, we have meetings at the VFW the third Saturday of every month.

* The Rolling Thunder XXVI can be seen on C-SPAN on Monday 27 May.  See your local cable listings for times shown.

Elizabeth Wood and Dave Nordlund were interviewed on the Greg Belfrage show May 24, 2013.