It is with solemn regret that I report the loss of Lance Corporal Joe Welke, USMC of Rapid City, SD. Joe was a young friend and former USAPL member.
Joe died from wounds he received trying to help a fallen comrade during action in Fallujah, Iraq on November 20th, 2004. Joe was 20 years old.
Joe will probably be remembered most for his infectious smile, his love of football, and lifting weights. Joe shall be missed. I am proud to have known Joe and to know what a true hero he had become. A memorial has been established.

Steve Howard
USAPL SD State Chair
USAPL EC

                           South Dakota Heroes

Scott Saboe, Willow Lake           Chief Warrant Officer            November 15, 2003

Christopher F. Soelzer, Sturgis          Captain           Decmber 24, 2003

Jeremy Bohlman , Sioux Falls          Lance Corporal           June 7, 2004

Cory W. Brooks ,  Philip           Staff Sergeant            April 24, 2004

Michael R. Deuel ,  Nemo          Private 1st Class           June 18, 2003

Hans Gukeisen ,  Lead          Chief Warrant Officer           May  9, 2003

Gunnar D. Becker ,   Forestburg           Private 1st Class          January 13, 2005

Sheldon Hawk Eagle,   Eagle Butte        Private 1st Class        November 15 2003

Jason Montefering,   Parkston        Army Staff Sgt.        July 24, 2005

Paul Pillen,   Keystone        Chief Warrant Officer        October 17, 2005

Daniel Bartels,   Huron        Army Spc.        October 19, 2005

Patrick W. Herried,  Sioux Falls   Army Spc.        February 6, 2006

Allen Kokesh Jr., Yankton  Spc.             February 7, 2006

Gregory Wagner, Mitchell  Staff Sgt.         May 8, 2006

Dennis Morgan, Winner, Sgt.         April 17, 2004

Richard Schild, Tabor Sgt. 1st Class        December 4, 2005

Daniel Cuka, Yankton Staff Sgt.        December 4, 2005

Brett L Lundstrom, Black Hawk Marine Cpl.        January 7, 2006

Jeremiah Boehmer, Parkston Army Sgt.        February 5, 2006

Roland Carroll Barvells, Aberdeen Police        January 18, 2006

Robb Rolfing, Sioux Falls Staff Sgt.        June 30, 2007

Zachary Tomczak, Huron Staff Sgt.        September 24, 2007

Spc. Estell "Lee" Turner, Sioux Falls     July 2, 2008