In partnership with the Veterans Coordination Commission, I am pleased to present the February, 2004 Veteran of the Month – Mr. Randy Bagby.

Randy Bagby started his Air Force career as a pilot but his career was spent primarily in the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) field. Here, he helped his wing win the coveted Blanchard Trophy for the Best Strategic Missile Wing at Olympic Arena, the “Olympic Games” of the strategic missile field. In three successive years of competition, he also won the Best Operations, Best Minuteman Mod/ILCS, and Best Combat Crew trophies. On arrival to the 4th Airborne Command and Control Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, he helped close that squadron down, as accords were reached with the Soviets, ending the Cold War. With the need for the strategic missile force eliminated, Randy then served the 28th Civil Engineering Squadron. Randy left the Air Force to pursue a Masters Degree in Structural Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Randy joined the Air Force to serve and has kept that commitment since leaving active duty, especially in his adopted home of Rapid City. Following his discharge, Randy obtained his Engineer-in-Training and Land Surveyor-in-Training certifications and also secured Real Estate Broker and Property Manager licenses. He has served the Black Hills Association of REALTORS® for over seven years, in the capacities of Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President, President-Elect, and President of the organization. Randy currently serves as the Immediate Past President and remains active not only participating in the day-to-day activities of the business end, but also in philanthropic activities that have benefited such groups as the Senior Meals Program, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Consumer Credit Counseling, and other community charities. He has been a booster of the Rapid City Economic Development program and various forums designed to help educate the community about issues impacting their property.

Randy is an active member of the Black Hills Amateur Radio Club, serving as Secretary and is a member of the Amateur Radio Emergency Services. Lastly, he’s a charter member of American Legion Foothills Post 320 and is the 1st Vice Commander of that group. He serves as their representative to the Veterans Coordination Commission and also assists with their Boy Scout activities, including Flag Retirement Ceremonies and the Eagle Scout Recognition program. He is proud to be a resident of Rapid City and looks forward to many more years of service to this excellent community.