Event: Social / Dinner / Silent & Live Auction / Guest Speakers / Live Music
MC - Dr. Julie Ertz
Subject: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) / Veteran Suicide
Date: Saturday - 19 October 2019
Time: Doors open at 5PM
Location: Rushmore Plaza Civic Center / LACROIX Hall - Rapid City, SD 57701
Tickets: $35
Dear Patriots:
We invite you to our 6th annual ‘Gallantly Forward Gala’ in support of Veterans and their families on Saturday, 19 October 2019. Help us raise awareness about the issues facing our warriors: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), suicide, homelessness, and the effects they have on our veterans who battle these demons. Veterans from the Black Hills area will be in attendance and your presence and community support will be met with much respect.
The gala fundraiser will be held at The Rushmore Plaza Civic Center - LaCroix Hall, Rapid City, SD. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with event ceremonies kicking off at 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance. Business attire is recommended, but not required.
The gala event which will feature a social hour, dinner, speakers, silent/live auction and live music. The Master of Ceremonies (MC) will be Dr. Julie Ertz.
Founded in 2012, SCLDF is steadfast in our three-fold mission: Veteran Advocacy, Assistance, and Public Awareness of the battles our heroes face when they come home. If you can’t attend the event, we ask that you consider sponsoring a veteran in your stead or donate an item for the silent/live auction. All donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. All of our staff volunteer their time; we have no employees. The SCLDF is proud to provide our veterans with advocacy, financial support and targeted resources to problem-solve their individual requests.
Why do we advocate for our veterans? The Middle Eastern wars have mandated multiple deployments of our heroes. Over 2.7 million Americans have served on 5.4 million military deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. While deployed, our warriors develop the bonds of brotherhood, duty and purpose. However, coming home does not always mean peace; but often reveals confusion, turmoil, anger, depression and isolation. An estimated 20+ veterans and 1 active duty soldier succumb to suicide every day. The U.S. suicide rate is now 33% higher than it was in 1999 and the suicide rate for veterans is 50% greater than their civilian counterparts. We must do more to combat these staggering numbers.
Sergeant Colton Levi Derr suffered with PTSD following his combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In support of America’s War on Terror during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring freedom, SGT Derr, U.S. Army 1st Calvary Division completed over 500 combat missions. Our hero succumbed to suicide on 28 APR 12 following his Afghanistan mission.
We honor Colton by assisting his fellow veterans and their families and respectfully ask that you become involved in this battle. It’s imperative that the public and our veterans' families understand that coming home does not mean the war has ended; it is our responsibility as a community to support our warriors and your assistance is greatly appreciated.
What can you do to help? Attend our gala and be a Battle Buddy who can reach out to a soul who needs help in the fight against the demons of war. It takes strength to reach out for help - be STRONG!
Very respectfully,
Haley Austin Derr, President
Please contact us to donate auction items or purchase tickets:
Donation Form
Jerry W. Derr @ 605.545.2505 / jerry@sergeantderrfoundation.org
Haley A. Derr @ 605.209.2308 / haley@sergeantderrfoundation.org
Josephine M. Dirksen @ 605.391.6983 / josephine@sergeantderrfoundation.org
Wyatt W. Derr @ 605.209.6067 / wyatt@sergeantderrfoundation.org
Theresa Derr @ 605.391.8733
Karen Henman @ 303.775.4980
Sergeant Major Adin Salkanovic
Gala Main Speaker - Sergeant Major Adin Salkanovic
Sergeant Major Adin Salkanovic is a native of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. He enlisted into the United States Army on 13 August 1999 as an Armored Reconnaissance Specialist, graduating the One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
SGM Salkanovic has served in the following duty positions and organizations: Scout Driver, Scout Gunner 3rd Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, TX; Team Leader, Section Leader, Senior Scout F Troop 9th Cavalry Regiment, FT Hood, TX; Senior Scout, Platoon Sergeant, Squadron Operations Sergeant 6th Squadron 9th Cavalry Regiment, FT Hood, TX; Brigade Operation NCO Observer Controller Trainer (OC/T), Joint Multinational Training Center, Hohenfels, Germany; First Sergeant, B Troop 1st Squadron 89th Cavalry Regiment, FT Drum, NY; Senior Cavalry Observer Controller Trainer (OC/T), 1st Battalion 360th Infantry Regiment, FT Bliss, TX, Squadron Operations Sergeant Major 1st Squadron 32nd Cavalry Regiment, Fort Campbell, KY; Provisional Brigade Command Sergeant Major, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne (AASLT) Fort Campbell, KY. His six deployments include four tours to Operation Iraqi Freedom and two tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
SGM Salkanovic’s military education includes, but is not limited to the United States Sergeant Major Academy Course Class 68, First Sergeant Course, Senior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Basic Leaders Course, Cavalry Leaders Course, Sniper Employment Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Battle Staff, Unit Movement Officer Course, Airload Planners Course, Basic Parachute Course and the Air Assault Course.
SGM Salkanovic’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (4OLC), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal with V device, Army Commendation Medal (4OLC), Army Achievement Medal (7OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (with numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 3) and the NATO Medal. His badges include the Combat Action Badge, the Parachute Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Drivers Badge (W), and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).
SGM Salkanovic holds a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College He also holds an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College. He is a recipient of the Order of St George.
