Sioux Falls Man Wins Veteran of Year Award

HURON, S.D. (AP) — A Sioux Falls man has been presented with an award naming him South Dakota's veteran of the year.

Gene Murphy received the award at the State Fair on Thursday during a salute to veterans.

The Daily Plainsman of Huron reports that Murphy has been working to help disabled veterans since he was wounded and paralyzed in Vietnam in 1969. He eventually became national commander of the Disabled American Veterans.

During the State Fair ceremony, Murphy thanked Gov. Dennis Daugaard and Lt. Gov. Matt Michels for working to build a new State Veterans Home in Hot Springs. He says the state also needs to build such a facility in eastern South Dakota.

Daugaard says veterans like Murphy have brought freedom to many nations around the world.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.