Retired Brig. Gen. Dean Mann honored as National Guard breaks ground for new readiness center

On a day seemingly created for the event, even a bald eagle made an appearance

Retired Brig. Gen. Dean Mann holds a rendering of the National Guard’s new training center that is named in his honor. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Oct. 21 for the facility. Gov. Kristi Noem, Sen. John Thune and Rep. Dusty Johnson spoke at the event. (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)

Military and political leaders broke ground on a new South Dakota National Guard readiness center Friday on a day that couldn’t have been more perfectly suited for the event.

During the ceremony for the National Guard BG Dean Mann Readiness Center, a military aircraft flew training runs overhead on a sunny, warm autumn day. At one point, a bald eagle circled the ceremony before gliding off into the distance.

But Friday’s event was more than a groundbreaking: It also served to honor Dean Mann, a retired brigadier general in the South Dakota National Guard.

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