Rapid City Journal from Rapid City, South Dakota • 6

Afi I Thursday, August 20. 2009 LOCALASTATE rapldcityjoumaLcom 1 i 1 1 1 'THEATER: Board to hold meetings tonight and Saturday morning. From Page Al School board members will vote tonight on a memorandum of understanding that includes the City of Rapid City allocating about $3.25 million from its special sales tax 2012 fund for the construction of the facility. The anticipated changes to the auditorium include a theater with more seating, a sound and lighting system, a possible orchestra pit and dressing rooms, as well as a lobby, box office, concessions, restrooms and coatroom. A scenery shop and outside stage access are included in the plans.

The four-page agreement also includes sharing maintenance of the facility equally or in proportion to the use and each party retaining proceeds from sales during the times each is scheduled for the space. It's not the first time an agreement between the city, coalition and school district has been in the works. A shared theater at Central High School was proposed several years ago, but didn't work out because of scheduling conflicts. It isn't as much of a problem with Dakota, said Ron Reed, a member of the coalition. "It's not as heavily scheduled trample anything historic.

"We're trying to restore, not redo," he said. 4 i Another Issue with the collaboration, the same issue that came up when the Central project was being discussed, is the possibility of alcohol being served on school grounds during the community events. Administrators said the potential conflict occurs at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, where student events are sometimes held at the same time as community events. "There are so many events going on it's hard to avoid," said Central High School's activities director Darren Paulson. But Reed said alcohol is not a deal breaker.

The tentative agreement says that alcohol will be allowed at the facility with an approved alcoholic beverage application for a special beer and wine license. "It will be case by case," he said, adding that there are no major plans for events to include alcohol. "There might be the occasion where it might be really nice to serve wine; there's no plan forabar." If the school board approves the memorandum tonight, he said that will give administrators the green light to start talking with contractors. "We have to see if it's feasible structurally, architecturally and historically to make it a workable space." 1 Contact Kiyta Qahagan at 398410 or kaytaihaganOrapiddtytourTial.com Kristina BarkerJournal staff The Rapid City school district and the Rapid City Performing Arts Coalition are in talks to remodel the 73-year-old Dakota Middle School theater into a joint performing arts facility. as the high schools," he said.

But Dakota has had heavy use since it was built, administrators say. It is also often at the center of facility discussions as board members have considered the idea of using it for district offices, a third high school or closing it. Dakota's principal, Brad Tucker, said that whatever happens, he hopes the historical value is maintained. "It's such a beautiful auditorium," he said. Board member Suzan Nolan said some community members also have voiced concerns about destroying the historical integrity of the building, and she recommended including some of those people in the discussions as the process continues.

Dave lanak, budget manager for the district, said the people working on the project share the concerns. "It's the best acoustic theater of its size," said. "Their concerns are well-founded, but they're well-represented." Superintendent Peter Wharton said the changes wouldn't have to Air combat honorees Seven new members of the South Dakota Combat Aircrew Memorial of the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame will be recognized today at a ceremony at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth Air Force Base. I Navy Capt. Cecil E.

Harris of Cresbard, who shot down 24 enemy aircraft in the Pacific Theater, becoming the second-highest scoring Navy ace of World War II. Harris scored most of his victories in an F-6F Hellcat. He died in 1981. I Navy Lt.j.g. Harold Thune of Murdo, who flew more than 50 combat missions off the aircraft carrier U.S.S.

Intrepid in the Pacific Theater. Thune shot down four Japanese aircraft in one mission and I Maj. Charles Summers, a native of Nebraska who now lives in Rapid City. Summers was an F-100 Super Saber pilot, who served as a wing commander in Korea and served three tours in Vietnam. He received a Silver Star for gallantry In action.

I Lt. Col. Lawrence E. Prave-cek, a Huey helicopter pilot in Vietnam with the 48th Assault Helicopter Company. Prave-cek, who lives in Winner where he grew up, finished his military career in 1967.

I The late Cpl. Richard C. Callies of Howard, who served with the 383rd Fighter Squadron in the European Theater during World War II. was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on Dec. 15, 1944.

I Lt. Col. Thomas K.Oliver, a B-24 pilot who flew 18 missions in the Mediterranean Theater in World War II. Oliver, who lives in Rapid City, was shot down May 6, 1944, and was held as a prisoner of war until he escaped with his air crew through Yugoslavia on Aug. 10, 1944.

I 2nd Lt. Lynus Ryan, originally from Kimball who now lives in Custer. Ryan was a glider pilot in World War II. Ryan also served in Korea as a forward air observer, flying an L-19. Then-Congressman John Thune in 2002 awarded Ryan the Korean War Service Medal.

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SD 57701 In Tuscany Square Financing (p) 605.388.8863 (f) 605.388.8868 Available. Sly Courtesy photo Navy Lt.j.g. Harold Thune receives the Distinguished Flying Cross from an unidentified Navy officer during World War II. Thune received the award for shooting down four Japanese planes on one mission. "He didn't just tell you to do it.

He showed the way. He was a leader among men." Harold Thune speaking of Cecil Harris 1 fe; 4 "i COMBAT: Seven inducted into aviation hall of fame. From Page Al Lt. Harris, although ranked 10th in seniority when he -joined Fighting Squadron 18 on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid, was elevated to flight officer, the No.

3 post, as a result of his skills and leadership, according to Ken Schroeder of Rapid City, a member of the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame. Schroeder, a retiredNavy pilot, has made it his mission to get recognition for Harris. One of Harris' friends in the squadron on the Intrepid was Lt.j.g. Harold Thune of Murdo, who would become the father of Sen. John Thune.

The elder Thune, who also is being honored in the ceremony today at Ellsworth, called Harris "exceptional." "He was better than the best," Thune said in a prepared statement. "He didn't just tell you to do it. He showed the way. He was a leader among men." Schroeder said Harris, not the squadron commander nor the executive officer, led the squadron through six weeks of intensive air combat near the Philippines and Formosa. Schroeder said that Harris' 24 enemy kills were second only to those of Navy Cmdr.

David McCampbell in the war. But Schroeder said Harris shot down more fighters 17 a much more difficult feat than shooting down enemy bombers. Schroeder said when he met Harris' widow recently, she asked him why he was working to bring the pilot's exploits to light. "I said, 'Cecil is my hero, and I want to show everybody why he should be Schroeder said. Harris was awarded the Navy Cross, Silver Star and second gold star, Distinguished Flying Cross with second and third gold stars, and the Air Medal with two gold stars.

After the war, Harris returned to South Dakota and resumed teaching school. But when the Korean War broke out, he was recalled to active duty. Harris stayed in the Navy, retiring in 1967 as a captain. He died in 1981 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. In March, the state Transportation Commission named an 80 -mile stretch of S.D.

Highway 20 between U.S. Highways 83 and 281 the Cecil E. Harris Highway. Harris, Thune and five others were inducted into the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame's Combat Aircrew Memorial last fall. Oontaetwitnrrt 3944415 or llaytjrtftaftiiJkidtytoumaLcorn.

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