The VSP volunteers

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

Some 100 children and elders at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota had a good Christmas thanks to several volunteers from the Virginia State Police. They received gifts the officers delivered by truck last October.
Anne Davis of Northern Virginia, coordinator of the mission, made a surprise visit to Fourth Division Headquarters in Wytheville before Christmas. The former state employee hand delivered certificates of appreciation and commendation to Lt. Edward Murphy, Sgt. Steve Lowe and troopers Kris Chapman, Jason Crowder and Glenn Armstrong.
“These guys have been absolutely fantastic,” Davis remarked. “I can’t begin to say what hard workers they are and how dedicated they are. Some have made the trip several times.”
According to Davis, the mission to the Pass Creek District at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation began in 2001 as a small outreach by a ladies’ group at Leeds Episcopal Church in Markham. The women obtained names and mailing addresses of some residents at Pine Ridge and then sent boxes of useable clothing to them.
After learning more about the needs of the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the remote reservation, the church women increased their support. They put together teams from their church, community volunteers and law enforcement officers from the state police to deliver supplies and help with projects at the reservation.
“We were frantic for drivers,” Davis noted. “I knew Ed Murphy who was then a sergeant at area headquarters in Warren. He was fortunate to recruit Trooper Kris Chapman who flew west and then drove back. That trip was the beginning of a lasting bond between the law enforcement officers and the people of Pine Ridge.”
Sgt. Lowe and troopers Crowder and Armstrong later volunteered their services. First Sgt. Mike Honaker and his church in Dublin also participate in the reservation mission.
“The suicide rate among teenagers is very high,” Sgt. Lowe stated. “The unemployment is about 85 percent. The people live in extreme poverty but they’ve very patriotic.”
Davis pointed out the reservation is located on two of the poorest counties in the U.S. Many people, especially the elders, live in grinding poverty with many lacking the basic needs of food and clothing, according to her.
While delivering clothes and other supplies to the reservation, members of the various mission teams lend their skills. They have cleaned, painted, renovated a home and worked on a church.
“It’s a life-changing experience,” Trooper Crowder commented. “It was the trip of a lifetime.”
Projects at the reservation for the new year include additional renovations at the Elder Center (a nutrition site), installation of windows in a home, painting and rebuilding the ramp at another home and working on the Church of the Inestimable Gift.
Davis also presented the law enforcement officers a letter of appreciation from Lydia Bear Killer, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council.
“The officers worked very hard in the jobs completed,” Bear Killer stated in her letter. “Your duties and responsibilities are very serious, very critical and very much needed. I am proud of each of you and be proud of your career as members of the police department you serve. I appreciate your act of kindness in volunteering your services within the Pass Creek District.”
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).