Veterans Day finds Jeff Bathke serving far from home

Veterans Day finds Jeff Bathke serving far from home

MITCHELL — For most Americans, Veterans Day offers a brief pause — a chance to attend a ceremony, say thank you, or enjoy a rare weekday off. For Jeff Bathke, it’s another day on duty — half a world away. The longtime soldier, public servant, and community leader is currently deployed to an undisclosed location on the Arabian Peninsula, marking his third overseas deployment since joining the South Dakota National Guard in 1989. This year, he’ll …