Guest blog post by ALA South Dakota Unit 15 member Susan Panning 
 
Almost 56 years ago, I met a man who dazzled me in his U.S. Navy uniform. We met because his younger brother “J” was dating my sister. Larry had just graduated from Officer Candidate School and was assigned to his first duty ship on the East Coast. Simply, J met me and called his older brother, and told him he had met a girl whom he just had to come home and meet! At first, Larry thought he wasn’t going to take his brother’s advice because what did J know anyway? J was persistent.
 
There is something to be said about a man in a uniform! Larry was stationed on a ship located in Charleston, S.C., and later at a base in Florida. During the next few months, we had a long-distance courtship. Larry would send the funniest cards, numerous flowers, and call when he could.
 
He sent me his U.S. Navy pin, saying he “didn’t want to marry anyone else before he got home.” His ship was due to go to the Mediterranean and the officers’ wives were going to fly over and follow the ship to the various ports. He asked me to marry him and I remember hearing the song by Sonny and Cher: I’ve Got You Babe. Larry could get leave before his ship was set to depart, so an October wedding was planned.
 
Three days before Larry was to come home for the wedding, President Nixon ordered “Sign on for five more years or get out.” Larry chose to leave the U.S. Navy at that time. So, we got married. Larry had no job, and we had no place to live. Our honeymoon was spent in Minneapolis using most of our wedding gift money to purchase civilian clothes for Larry and pay for gas to and from interviews. We lived in a furnished apartment. Because Larry had graduated from the University of Minnesota, he used the employment placing department. Finally, he landed a job … in Devils Lake, N.D.!
 
Larry’s first civilian job was selling fertilizer and chemicals. Eventually it made him want to return and farm with his father. Farming during the 1970s was difficult even with taking on several part-time jobs like county tax assessor, building steel bins, and cement work. The part-time job he loved the most was signing on to be an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
 
Since I was considered a “city gal,” farming was very difficult to get used to. So, being in the U.S. Navy Reserve helped us have a “weekend away” once a month. He would do drill, and we’d enjoy our mini vacation being with our newfound Navy friends. After his dad decided to retire, Larry decided we should move to Sioux Falls, S.D. Many of their Reservists have become our close, lifelong friends. He continued to be active in the U.S. Navy Reserve until retiring in 1992.
 
Because his military brothers and sisters were important to Larry, he joined The American Legion Post 109 in Gary, S.D., while he was farming and later transferred to American Legion Post 15 in Sioux Falls. Eventually, Larry served as commander of Post 15.
 
He earned the Veteran of the Year award from American Legion Post 15. He has served in many positions helping veterans at the VA, Veterans Council Sioux Falls, American Legion Baseball, and in the community with Humboldt Sharp Shooters. He still is active in The American Legion today. Larry also served on the board of the USS South Dakota battleship board.
 
Larry is a great provider for his family. He always encouraged his family to get an education. “Don’t be afraid to use your education by stepping out to explore challenges” because he has done that all his life. Larry has always encouraged me to step out beyond my familiar activities and try new things too. When Larry was commander of American Legion Post 15, I decided I’d better learn about the Auxiliary, so I joined American Legion Auxiliary Unit 15. 
 

Later on, Larry was my No. 1 supporter and the encouraging force for me to run for unit president. I actually became the American Legion Auxiliary president for Unit 15. Because of Larry’s constant support and encouragement, I was so fortunate and thankful to earn the National President’s Award for Excellence in 2022. Larry is a very hard worker, and always ready to help veterans, neighbors, and friends when needed. He is an avid fisherman and hunter. We have been married for 56 years and have three children and 16 grandchildren.