The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans' bonus of up to $500 to certain servicemembers. Bonuses are available for servicemembers who:

were legal residents of the state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed forces.

-- are currently on active duty or were honorably discharged from the armed forces.

-- served on active duty during one of the following periods.

For service between Jan. 1, 1993, and Sept. 10, 2001, payment will be made to those who served overseas and were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal or any other United States campaign or service medal awarded for participation in combat operations against hostile forces.

All active duty service between the dates of Sept. 11, 2001, and a date to be determined qualifies for a bonus payment.

This program also allows payment for active duty during the Desert Storm dates of 2 AUG 90 to 31 DEC 92 for people who did not already receive payment for service during this period.

Application forms may be obtained by writing to: SD Veterans Bonus, 500 E. Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501, or by calling (605) 773-7251.

Forms can also be requested by e-mail to john.fette@state.sd.us.

Writers should include their name, street or post office box number, city, state and zip code.