Central South Dakota News

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds announced that two bills he sponsored to rename post offices in South Dakota have passed the House and are now awaiting the President's signature. The bills aim to honor fallen service members by renaming the Huron and Sioux Falls post offices.

The first bill, S.3267, introduced in November 2023, proposes naming the Huron Post Office after First Lieutenant Thomas Michael Martin. Born in Huron, 1LT Martin was a fifth-generation resident of Beadle County. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1998 and attended West Point before losing his life during combat operations in Iraq on October 14, 2007.

The second bill, S.2143, introduced in June 2023, seeks to name the Downtown Sioux Falls Post Office after Staff Sergeant Robb Lura Rolfing. A native of Sioux Falls and an O’Gorman High School graduate, Staff Sgt. Rolfing served as a Special Forces engineer sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Carson, Colorado. He died from wounds sustained during combat operations in Baghdad on June 30, 2007.

"1LT Martin and Staff Sergeant Rolfing represent the best of our nation," said Senator Rounds. "These two men gave their lives for our country and freedoms." He expressed gratitude to his colleagues for supporting these legislative efforts.

Ed Martin, father of 1LT Martin, shared his family's pride: "Our family is so honored to have a prominent building named in memory of our son." Similarly, Margie and Rex Rolfing thanked Senator Rounds and others for preserving their son's legacy.