On July 3, 2025, Dakota News Now (KDLT) ran a news segment about the interment of six members of the U.S. Armed Forces during its 5:30 p.m. broadcast. The interment had taken place earlier that day in the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Unfortunately, the six veterans died with no known next of kin to make funeral arrangements.

Funeral director Todd Winkel, owner of Heartland Funeral Home & Cremation Services (Brandon), stepped forward to arrange both the military funeral honors and final resting places that the soldiers had earned in service of a grateful nation. Featured in the news video, Winkel said, “This close to Independence Day, we were able to recognize their service and inter their remains.” He added, “It’s the right thing to do.”

Numerous veterans from the Sioux Falls area came to the cemetery to honor their fallen comrades, and the private committal service featured a rifle volley and the playing of taps, among other military funeral honors.

Reflecting on the service, Winkel said, “At a future date, it may be that a family member is looking up the individual and finds out that they are buried here, and they can come here and pay their respects, as well.” HeartlandFunerals.com